The FAA inspections that took place at the company’s headquarters covered aircraft hangars, part repair workshops, and spare parts warehouses at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and all other company facilities, including the engine overhauling and testing centers.

The experts also checked the qualifications of technicians at the company as well as its safety procedures. The license was renewed without any observations thanks to the efforts of SAEI’s highly qualified staff members. The FAA’s team’s inspections this time were more intensive and comprehensive than previous years. They found the company’s systems and procedures compatible with FAA requirements.

The team members also admired the tremendous progress achieved by the company in carrying out maintenance of aircraft, engines and parts. The team leader said the high standard achieved by SAEI makes it on a par with renowned international aircraft maintenance companies.

It is worth mentioning that these inspections have been going on at Saudia aircraft maintenance facilities for the last 30 years to license Saudia to carry out maintenance of aircraft registered in the United States and the passing of FAA tests without any observations reflects the international standard achieved by SAEI in aircraft, engine and spare parts maintenance.

Mr. Nadir Khelawi, CEO of SAEI, said his company has received new aircraft maintenance licenses from the Transport Ministry in South Korea. “We have also got renewed the licenses given by the civil aviation authorities in Qatar and Singapore,” he added. A few days ago, Saudia successfully passed the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), which takes place after every two years and covers all facilities of SAEI as well as other Saudia sectors, he pointed out.