UK independent MRO Caerdav expects its pending multi-million-pound investment from the Middle East, which will lead to new facilities and training capabilities, to be finalized in the new few months.

The commitment from conglomerate MOBH Group an investor primarily in real estate, to Caerdav was announced in the form of a memorandum of understanding in October 2019. 

The undisclosed amount will help finance the creation of a center of excellence for commercial aviation training at Bro Tathan business park, which will provide pilot and cabin crew training, along with the construction of a new aircraft paint hangar. Once built, it will offer full paint services on aircraft up to the size of a Boeing 767.

Joachim Jones, CEO of the St. Athan, Wales-based company, says Caerdav is hopeful that the final investment to be completed in either March or April.

As of February 2020, Jones says some details are still being ironed out with the relevant parties. “We are now negotiating with the Welsh government about the land. We may have to change the layout of the facility and move away from the campus style, so it’s a bit of back and forth with the architects but we are confident we can keep things as we want them.” Jones add the aim is to have everything on one site within walking distance.

Initially, MOBH will provide funding and eventually this could lead to them becoming a strategic partner in the long-term. Another long-term target is to grow the business as a center of excellence for Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft types. 
 
Following 2019, which saw the company rebrand to Caerdav from Cardiff Aviation and add FAA Part-145 approval, Jones says the company is exploring further capabilities this year. “We’re looking at Turkish approval because there is a high demand and a leasing customer has requested this,” he says.