British Airways is set to strengthen its maintenance capabilities and expand its operational footprint at London Gatwick Airport after announcing the acquisition of Boeing’s maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility at the airport.
The national carrier will establish a new engineering subsidiary—British Airways Engineering Gatwick (BAEG)—to operate the facility, joining its existing engineering operations in Wales and Scotland. The move comes as airlines increasingly look to bring critical maintenance operations in-house amid industry-wide efforts to control costs and improve operational reliability.
“This strategic acquisition represents a significant vote of confidence in Gatwick as a long-term base for British Airways,” said aviation analyst Sarah Jenkins of AeroDynamics Consulting. “It signals the airline’s commitment to the airport despite previous reductions in operations during the pandemic years.”
According to company sources, the existing Boeing staff will transfer to the new BA subsidiary following an employee consultation process expected to conclude in the second quarter. British Airways has indicated plans to expand the workforce over time, potentially creating new aviation engineering jobs in the region.
British Airways Chief Technical Officer Andy Best highlighted the benefits of the acquisition: “Taking control of this modern hangar facility strengthens our engineering capabilities and brings valuable expertise into our operation. Ultimately, this will enhance the reliability of our services for customers.”
The facility will enable the airline to conduct in-house maintenance on its Boeing 777 aircraft at Gatwick while also providing capacity for scheduled heavy maintenance on its Airbus A320 and A321 fleet. Industry observers note this vertical integration should reduce aircraft downtime and minimize ferry flights between maintenance bases.
Stewart Morris, Transport Editor at Aviation Weekly, pointed out the sustainability angle: “By reducing the need to ferry aircraft to other bases for maintenance, BA can cut unnecessary flights. This aligns with their broader sustainability targets while simultaneously improving operational efficiency—a rare win-win in today’s challenging aviation environment.”
The acquisition follows a trend among major carriers to secure greater control over maintenance operations. Last year, Lufthansa Group expanded its MRO facilities in Frankfurt, while Air France-KLM announced similar investments in Paris.
For Gatwick Airport, the deal represents a boost following several challenging years. Airport CEO Emma Williams welcomed the news: “British Airways’ decision to expand its engineering presence here underscores Gatwick’s importance as a key aviation hub. This investment will support high-skilled jobs and strengthen the airport’s economic contribution to the region.”
The transaction, subject to standard regulatory approval, is expected to complete by mid-2025. Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed.
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