Etihad becomes first airline to design, certify and fly 3D printed parts under European agency

Etihad Airways Engineering has received approval from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to design and certify 3D printed parts for aircraft interiors, becoming the first airline MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) under EASA to hold certification approvals for 3D printed parts flying on Etihad Airways aircraft. With this approval, Etihad Airways Engineering joins the world’s leading aircraft OEMs in designing and certifying 3D printed parts.

Jeff Wilkinson, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways Engineering, said: “We believe in offering innovative and industry leading aircraft maintenance and engineering solutions to our customers around the world.” Etihad Airways Engineering used its expertise and major Design Organisation Approval – Part 21J to design and certify the first 3D printed parts for aircraft cabins in the UAE. As part of this project, extensive testing is performed for material qualification including environmental, strength, and flammability testing at the newly opened Etihad Airways Engineering Flammability Lab.

“It is part of Abu Dhabi’s vision to be a global aerospace hub and we support this by being a centre of excellence not just in maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), but also in design, engineering and innovation,” Mr Wilkinson added. Etihad Airways Engineering is the largest commercial aircraft MRO services provider in the Middle East and has served more than 100 airlines and aviation operators from around the world. It is also the first Middle Eastern MRO to be granted an extended Part 21J Design Organisation Approval (DOA) by EASA to undertake major cabin design and modification.

As part of the Etihad Aviation Group, the company offers line, light and heavy maintenance services around the clock, including design, advanced composite repair, cabin refurbishment and component services, from its state-of-the-art facility adjacent to Abu Dhabi International Airport. Etihad Aviation Group (EAG) is a diversified global aviation and travel group comprising four business divisions – Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, Etihad Airways Engineering, Hala Group and Airline Equity Partners.

The group also has minority investments in seven airlines: airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Alitalia, Jet Airways, Virgin Australia, and Swiss-based Darwin Airline, trading as Etihad Regional. From its Abu Dhabi base, Etihad Airways flies to, or has announced plans to serve, more than 110 passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas. The airline has a fleet of over 120 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, with 204 aircraft on firm order, including 71 Boeing 787s, 25 Boeing 777Xs, 62 Airbus A350s and 10 Airbus A380s. For more information, please visit: etihad.com