GE Aviation has announced that the Nantgarw site has been chosen as the GE Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility for the GE9X, the world’s largest and most fuel-efficient jet engine.

The Nantgarw overhaul facility, based just north of Cardiff, has been chosen to lead the company’s global ‘Entry into Service’ readiness programme. GE Aviation Wales was selected based on its wealth of technical expertise and its track record of continuous improvement. The site, which employs more than 1,400 people, will also benefit from a £5m investment from the Welsh Government to help toward the total £20m investment, over the next five years to equip and upskill the facility to be ready to maintain the GE9X fleet when it enters service on the Boeing 777X.

GE Aviation Wales Managing Director La-Chun Lindsay said,

“This is a great day for Wales and particularly for our communities across the Valleys.The GE9X will be the world’s largest engine, and I’m incredibly proud that just as with the GE90 almost two decades ago, GE Aviation Wales has been chosen as the MRO facility. Adding the GE9X to our repertoire of engines will not only mean some £20 million of investment into our Wales site, but will also support high value manufacturing jobs.”

First Minister Carwyn Jones AM said,

“I am delighted that the Welsh Government is supporting this very significant investment in one of our flagship operations. GE Aviation Wales is one of the largest aircraft engine maintenance facilities in the world, and today’s announcement ensures it will maintain its position as the global centre of excellence for wide bodied jet engines that will now also include GE’s latest engine, the GE9X.

“As an Anchor company, GE Aviation is of huge strategic importance to the Welsh economy with a world-class reputation and extensive experience and capability. It’s tremendously good news that this investment will strengthen its long-term sustainability, preserve the scale of the facility and ensure its on-going competitiveness.

“The aviation MRO facility has been in Nantgarw for 77 years and only recently celebrated its 25th anniversary of GE ownership so it is great news that the GE9X will ensure GE Aviation Wales remains at the forefront of the engine repair and overhaul sector for many years to come.”