Al Habtoor Trading and Altran announced the launch of The Wings Valley project on the occasion of the Middle East Business Aviation Show 2012 (MEBA), Dubai World Central (DWC). Strategically located within the Aviation District at Dubai World Central, which includes the groundbreaking Al Maktoum International Airport, Al Habtoor Trading and Altran in co-operation with ADPI (fully owned subsidiary of the Group Aéroports de Paris) have pooled their complementary expertise to create the first innovative services maintenance centre dedicated to business jets and helicopters. With a maintenance capacity of 60 business jets and 40 helicopters per month, The Wings Valley of Dubai is a concentrate of high technology consulting and airport engineering. It will be the largest maintenance centre dedicated to business jets and helicopters. It will call upon the most advanced technologies for business aviation activities in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) area in terms of maintenance, personalisation and a high level of flight safety compliance. It will focus on mastering traffic and repair control within environmental constraints, and offering a customised expertise to aircraft owners and crews. Rashed Bu Qara’a, CEO, Dubai Aviation City Corporation, said: “Dubai World Central is a strategic initiative of Dubai Government that continues to open new possibilities in the global aviation industry. The Aviation District, in particular, attracts major industry players from all over the world in line with DWC’s masterplan as the first purpose-built aerotropolis, which significantly optimises the business potential of all aviation businesses. The Aviation District at DWC will serve as an economic platform at which Al Habtoor Trading and Altran with the support of ADPI are committed to setting up the most innovative MRO in the world with a three-fold focus: environmental, technological, and educational excellence. The overall MRO project has been designed with a view to creating veritable eco-friendly showcase with sustainable infrastructures, ranging from positive energy buildings to a recycling centre. The Wings Valley of Dubai adds strategic expertise to the UAE aeronautic network. As such, this pioneering, cutting edge and sustainable project is totally in line with the UAE’s vision and strive for excellence. Together with DWC, Altran and ADPI, we will all be working hard to bring reality to this ambitious undertaking,” said Rashid Al Habtoor, President of Al Habtoor Trading. “The Wings Valley of Dubai is the most advanced project of MRO in the world. As developer of the overall concept, Altran will contribute by pooling its expertise in the aeronautics, aircraft-engineering and IT industries to create one cutting-edge global solution. The Wings Valley of Dubai is part of the Group’s global strategy to lead international, complex and innovative projects”, declared Philippe Salle, Chairman and Chief Executive of the Altran Group. The Wings Valley of Dubai acts as a surgery hospital dedicated to business jets and helicopters using expertise of Altran’s experience in the healthcare industry. Finally, it is the first platform of trained MROs engineers with the international awareness from several best-in-class schools of engineering.