Jordan-based aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) JorAMCo and newly established United Arab Emirates low-cost carrier FlyDuba have signed an agreement last week for provision of line maintenance services to FlyDubai's B737-800 flights at Amman as of 01st of June 2009.

Earlier this year, JorAMCo, won a maintenance contract from Kuwait Airways for around 10 aircraft and should benefit from a slowdown in the regional aviation industry as carriers outsource non-core activities and cancel aircraft orders.

Government-owned Royal Jordanian Airline created JorAMCo in 2000 out of its engineering and maintenance unit. Abraaj and co-investors bought an 80 per cent stake in 2005 when the company was privatized. Royal Jordanian still holds a 20 per cent stake.

Since then, the company has grown enormously. Revenue has more than doubled and EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) has tripled. Abraaj has helped it improve efficiency, build a second hangar, double the workforce to almost 1,000 and secure longer-term contracts with airlines.

Now, Abraaj and JorAMCo are considering joint ventures and expansion opportunities in new markets.