IAMA, the Independent Aircraft Modifier Alliance, is delighted to welcome new subscriber, Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) and new basic member, Saudia Aerospace Engineering Industries (SAEI), to the alliance. These notable organizations bring additional high-profile Middle East and North Africa (MENA) voices to the diverse group of stakeholders advocating for modifications completed via Supplemental Type Certifications (STC). 

“We are extremely pleased to welcome SAUDIA and SAEI to our growing community,” said Nina Schulz, IAMA’s managing director. “With each new member, the alliance grows stronger as we take on board their distinctive operational challenges and utilise them to help perfect the IAMA Rulebook. Our sincere ambition is to represent the needs and strengths of the global aviation modification market, so we are striving to attract stakeholders from every corner of the world.”

As a subscriber, SAUDIA gains access to the alliance’s burgeoning resource library and the IAMA Rulebook, which cover an extensive range of topics, including asset preservation, de-modification, right to use and the complexities around STCs. The long-serving airline, an enduring champion of high-quality modifications, is growing its fleet to serve more routes. It anticipates that membership will add valuable support to this substantial undertaking.  

Syed Masroor Hasan, SAUDIA’s assistant vice president, aircraft engineering, explained, “To build our service capacity, we are growing our fleet of aircraft and are focused on offering an enjoyable passenger experience—which includes operating seamless schedules. Our decision to become an IAMA subscriber is motivated by this expansion. We are delighted to join a growing number of airlines recognizing IAMA’s valuable contributions to the aviation modification market.”

The technical arm of SAUDIA, the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia’s flagship airline, SAEI serves regional and global clients from a network of more than 50 locations worldwide and is expanding into its state-of-the-art MRO operation at King Abdul-Aziz Airport. The move to join the alliance is another step in the company’s continued pursuit of “meticulous safety.” 

SAEI is the prime consultancy and fulfillment organization for SAUDIA’s modification campaigns. “As part of our airworthiness transformation initiative, we are expanding our capabilities by implementing a design office,” said Ahmed S. Aseeri, SAEI’s owner of airworthiness engineering programs initiatives.

As a Basic Member, SAEI gains access to critical educational resources, guidance and expertise. They also commit to complying with the IAMA rulebook—the alliance’s Standard. 

Abdulhamid N. Aldosary, director, APC & engineering support at SAEI, said, “IAMA’s founding members are highly-regarded in the aviation modification market. Our vision is to be the partner of choice and a catalyst for aviation’s success in Saudi Arabia and globally. We are thrilled to join the alliance, and contribute lessons learned from our experience and strengthen our operations through IAMA’s collective expertise and the high standards they advocate and defend.” 

About IAMA 

We at IAMA, the Independent Aircraft Modifier Alliance, are advocates and supporters of member companies in the aircraft retrofit modification market. We are educators, identifying and highlighting value of Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) within the aircraft lifecycle. We collaborate to develop standards that streamline communications and documentation within approved STC modification projects. To ensure that effective modernizations meet aircraft operator and owner requirements, we endorse STC-approved solutions. Founded by retrofit market leaders, we believe an independent, transparent market is a strong market that will benefit everyone. To learn more and join, visit: iamalliance.aero.

Featured image credited to IAMA