ADE Secures US$100 Mln Financing From QNB Group To Accelerate Expansion, Strengthen Regional Position

KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 (Bernama) -- Asia Digital Engineering (ADE), the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) subsidiary of Capital A Bhd, has secured a US$100 million (US$1=RM3.95) financing facility from QNB Group, a financial institution in the Middle East and Africa.

ADE said in a statement today that the financing will support the company’s continued expansion and capacity growth as it scales its capabilities and strengthens its position as one of the region’s fastest-growing MRO providers.

“The additional capacity is expected to enhance ADE’s ability to serve a growing portfolio of airline customers, while supporting its long-term anchor customer, the AirAsia group,” it said. 

The financing, it said reflects strong confidence in the company’s proven track record, accelerating growth trajectory and long-term expansion potential.

ADE chief executive officer (CEO) Mahesh Kumar said the MRO company has completed more than 300 C-checks, demonstrating the scale and consistency of its capabilities.

“These funds will accelerate our expansion plans, invest in additional capacity to meet the strong and growing demand for MRO services, and strengthen our ability to deliver efficient, world-class maintenance that minimises downtime and maximises performance for our airline customers,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Capital A CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said what started as an internal engineering capability serving AirAsia has now evolved into a fast-rising aviation services business supporting multiple global airlines, including customers like Air France, and attracting serious institutional support.

“I’m confident ADE will move even faster, expand further and seize the huge opportunities in the MRO space, ultimately turning into a regional powerhouse,” he added. 

Senior executive vice president of Group Corporate and Institutional Banking of QNB Group, Khalid Ahmed Al-Sada said this would be another step forward to actively support MRO financing and airspace growth in the Asian market, broadening QNB’s international footprint supported by its vision to become a leading bank in the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia (MEASEA) region while maintaining dominant market leadership.

ADE offers end-to-end engineering and maintenance solutions across the region.

Its line maintenance network spans 20 airports across the ASEAN region, supported by base maintenance capability of up to 16 lines, alongside a range of specialised workshops in Kuala Lumpur. 

ADE has earned recognition as an Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO) in 18 countries, alongside achieving EASA Part 145 Maintenance Organisation Approval from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and FAA certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration.

-- BERNAMA