Malaysia Aviation Group signs deal to acquire SAE

Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) has signed a Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) with Airbus to acquire Sepang Aircraft Engineering (SAE), a wholly owned subsidiary of Airbus Group.

The proposed acquisition is part of MAG’s Long-Term Business Plan 3.0 (LTBP 3.0) and is aimed at strengthening its engineering and maintenance capabilities, expanding its aviation services portfolio, and increasing third-party revenue.

The transaction is subject to the fulfilment of customary conditions precedent, including approval from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM).

“It has been a challenging year for the aviation industry, with a constantly changing global environment, volatile fuel prices putting immense pressure on the sector, and challenges that have tested us in many ways. Against this backdrop, as we execute LTBP 3.0, we remain focused on making disciplined investments in areas where we see a clear pathway to sustainable value creation. This means being deliberate about where we deploy capital and prioritising opportunities that strengthen our core businesses, diversify revenue and support the Group’s long-term growth aspirations.

The proposed acquisition reflects this approach. It builds on our established engineering and maintenance foundations, positioning MAG to capture opportunities in the growing MRO market and meet increasing third-party demand. SAE further complements MAB Engineering’s existing capabilities through its A320 expertise, dedicated paint hangar and specialised component repair services, while building on the strong technical, operational and quality foundations developed under Airbus' stewardship.

Together, these strengths will enable MAG to offer a broader suite of MRO solutions and better serve existing and new third-party customers across ASEAN and beyond. At the same time, we are leveraging Malaysia’s competitive cost-to-skill advantage and established engineering expertise to support the country's accelerated ambition to become a leading regional aerospace hub - strengthening Malaysia’s position and driving the continued growth of the national aviation ecosystem,” said Captain Nasaruddin A. Bakar, President and Group Chief Executive Officer of MAG.

MAG will work with SAE, CAAM and other relevant stakeholders to secure the necessary approvals, with completion of the transaction targeted for 2027.