Etihad Airways Engineering has become the first organisation in the Middle East to be granted with a Part21G Production Organisation Approval (POA) by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

With the new approval Etihad Airways Engineering is now entitled to manufacture interior parts such as seat covers, carpets, curtains, decals and markings alongside composite and other cabin structures and release them with a EASA Airworthiness Certificate. This will allow installation of these parts onto aircraft registered in Europe or in any country recognising EASA certificates, such as the UAE and many countries in the Gulf.

Jeff Wilkinson, Chief Executive of Etihad Airways Engineering, said: “We are pleased to offer Etihad Airways, its equity partners and third party customers the flexibility of making cabin parts in-house. It will offer shorter lead times and competitive modification services as a package, in combination with our EASA Part21J Design approvals and the testing labs operated with our partners.

We remain focussed on developing our maintenance, repair and overhaul capabilities as a one-stop-facility while focusing on new platforms and delivering the highest standards of safety and quality.

I would like to thank the Design, Engineering and Innovation team whose diligence, expertise and close coordination with EASA has helped us in achieving this capability ahead of time. With the new approval, the company is now able to offer more comprehensive, tailor-made solutions covering a wide range of technical aspects.”