Rock star’s aviation firm sets out bold growth plan
A SOUTH Wales aircraft maintenance and training company, chaired by Iron Maiden lead singer Bruce Dickinson, has confirmed major expansion plans.
Caerdav, formerly known as Cardiff Aviation has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Dubaibased MOBH Group, which it said will see millions of pounds pumped into developing new training and maintenance facilities.
Under the MOU, Caerdav will create a centre of excellence for commercial aviation training at Bro
Tathan, the new business park owned by the Welsh Government at St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan, providing complete training for pilots and cabin crew.
In addition to the training centre, the investment will also fund the construction of a new aircraft paint hangar, enabling Caerdav to provide full paint services for aircraft up to the size of a Boeing 767 – complementing the engineering works the company already carries out for major airlines. Caerdav chief executive Joachim Jones said: “With MOBH Group’s backing, we aim to create Europe’s most advanced flight training centre, while expanding our outstanding independent aircraft maintenance operations.
“This is a hugely exciting opportunity for growth and underlines how our team’s commitment and hard work has led to this being the best year in the company’s history – with 2020 now looking even brighter.”
Mr Dickinson said: “It was a real moment of pride to found the business in 2012, and I can’t thank our engineers and instructors enough for their incredible work and commitment to date. “Together with our management team, they make Caerdav a truly independent centre of excellence for aviation engineering and training.”
In its financial year to the end of September 2018, the business (then Cardiff Aviation) posted revenues of £1.9m and pre-tax losses of £2.1m.