Kuala lumpur: Malaysia's maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) market is on track to achieve a revenue target of RM55 billion by the end of 2030 under the Malaysia Aerospace Industry Blueprint (MAIB) 2030, according to Deputy Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Sim Tze Tzin. This target represents approximately 25 percent of the Asia-Pacific MRO market, which is projected to exceed US$60 billion by 2030. As the third-largest MRO player in Asia Pacific, Malaysia is positioning itself to capture a significant portion of this market value.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Sim emphasized the country's focus on higher-value MRO segments, such as component and engine maintenance, during his speech at the MRO Southeast Asia 2026 event. He highlighted government efforts to strengthen key enablers of the MRO market, including infrastructure, talent, and technology, under MAIB 2030. Initiatives include the revitalization of Subang Airport through the Regeneration Plan and the development of the Selangor Aero Park within KLIA Aeropolis, aimed at providing a scalable environment for MRO operators and Tier-1 suppliers.

Sim also mentioned the government's commitment to building a highly skilled workforce, with a goal of creating over 30,000 high-skilled jobs by 2030. This commitment includes accelerating the adoption of advanced solutions, such as predictive maintenance and digitalized MRO tools. Despite the ongoing conflict in West Asia, Sim noted that its impact on the aerospace sector remains limited, as aircraft components are still available and regular maintenance continues amidst industry growth.

Looking ahead, the aerospace industry is expected to strengthen, driven by rising air traffic in Malaysia and the broader Asia-Pacific region. The MRO Southeast Asia 2026 event, hosted by Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd in collaboration with the Aviation Week Network, convened over 350 participants from the global aviation value chain to discuss the next phase of aerospace growth in the region.