Caerdav

What Caerdav does

Caerdav is an independent aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) organization headquartered at the Twin Peaks facility in St. Athan, South Wales. Founded in 2012 by Bruce Dickinson, the company operates from a former RAF maintenance base with a 6,000ft ILS runway and parking capacity for more than 20 narrow-body aircraft, holding EASA, UK CAA, FAA, GACA, TCCA, and Guernsey 2-REG Part-145 approvals. Its core offering is base maintenance (A to C checks), engine changes, landing gear changes, structural repairs, end-of-lease transitions, and aircraft modifications, primarily for Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 family aircraft, supplemented by in-house composite repair, non-destructive testing, paint services, tool hire, aircraft storage, and an aviation consultancy covering airline setup, AOC acquisition, and regulatory approvals.

The company employs approximately 180 staff as of mid-2024, with four heavy maintenance lines in operation following capacity additions in June 2024 and November 2025. Revenue is generated through quote-based, project-priced MRO contracts with airlines (TUI Airways, Ryanair, easyJet, flyadeal, Trade Air, Heston Airlines, AirExplore), aircraft lessors (AerCap, Avolon), OEMs (GE Aviation), cargo operators (DHL), and business aviation customers (Comlux), augmented by tool hire, storage, consultancy fees, and an aerospace apprenticeship programme delivered with Cardiff and Vale College ICAT. GTM is direct enterprise sales supported by industry events such as MRO Europe, an in-house commercial team, and partnerships with workforce specialist JMC Group and consignment suppliers PDQ Airspares and Aerospheres. The business model is asset-heavy and labor-intensive, dependent on licensed engineers, regulatory certifications, and physical hangar infrastructure at St. Athan.

Name

Caerdav

Legal name

Caerdav

Website

https://caerdav.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Caerdav is an independent UK-based MRO at St. Athan, South Wales, providing Part-145 base maintenance, modifications, and end-of-lease services for Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 aircraft to airlines, lessors, and OEMs globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO)

NAICS

Other Support Activities for Air Transportation (488190)

SIC

Aircraft & Parts (3720), Aircraft (3721)

akta.pro primary industry

MRO Engineering, Technical Publications & CAMO Support (IMABALAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Maintenance Planning, CAMO & Technical Records/Continuing Airworthiness (TLAKAJAJ), Parts & Materials Support (Rotables Pooling, Distribution, Repair Management) (TLAKAJAK), Landing Gear & Wheel/Brake MRO (TLAKAJAD), MRO Shop & Component Overhaul (Wheels/Brakes, Hydraulics, Pneumatics, Fuel) (EDAOAFAH)

Keywords

• Aircraft MRO services
• Base maintenance checks
• Aviation consultancy
• Aircraft line maintenance
• Aviation apprenticeship training

Headquarters

HQ city

Vale of Glamorgan

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Aircraft Base Maintenance: A to C checks, aircraft repairs, modifications, landing gear changes, engine changes - core MRO services performed at the Twin Peaks facility
2. Aviation Consultancy: Comprehensive consultancy support for airline setup, AOC acquisition, operational expansion, procedural guidance, manual writing, and EASA/CAA approval advice
3. Tool Hire: Rental of aircraft maintenance tools including jacks, boot strap kits, test kits, landing gear tooling, and specialist tooling to other MROs and aviation businesses
4. Aircraft Storage: Temporary aircraft parking and storage solutions for up to 20 parked aircraft with full base maintenance support capability
5. Modifications and Interior Refits: Aircraft modifications including interior LOPA changes, STC completion, and bespoke modifications

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Caerdav is an independent MRO organisation providing aircraft base maintenance (A to C checks, repairs, engine and landing gear changes, modifications) for Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 family aircraft from its Twin Peaks facility at St. Athan, South Wales. It also delivers aviation consultancy for airline setup, AOC acquisition, and regulatory approvals, plus aircraft storage and tool hire services to a global customer base of airlines and lessors.

Product overview

Caerdav is an independent MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul) organization providing a comprehensive suite of aircraft maintenance services from its Twin Peaks facility in St. Athan, South Wales. The core offering centers on base maintenance (A to C checks, repairs, modifications, engine changes, landing gear changes) for Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 family aircraft, supported by in-house capabilities including composite repair, non-destructive testing (NDT), and paint services. The company augments its maintenance services with tool hire, aircraft storage (parking for 20+ aircraft), and aviation consultancy covering airline setup, AOC securing, and operational expansion. A dedicated aerospace apprenticeship programme (Caerdav Apprenticeship Academy) trains the next generation of aircraft engineers in partnership with Cardiff and Vale College ICAT.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Base Maintenance Comprehensive aircraft base maintenance services including A Checks to heavy C Checks, engine changes, landing gear changes, modifications, composite repairs, non-destructive testing, and interior refits for Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 family aircraft, performed at the Part 145 approved Twin Peaks facility for airline customers.
• Aviation Consultancy Comprehensive consultancy services covering airline setup, operational expansion, AOCs and ATO establishment, compliance guidance, manual writing, and CAA/EASA approval advice, delivered to new market entrants and aviation businesses across global markets.
• Tool Hire Rental of aircraft maintenance tools including aircraft jacks, boot strap kits, test kits, landing gear tooling, and specialist tooling for operators working on Airbus and Boeing aircraft, supplied to other MROs and aviation businesses.
• Aircraft Storage Temporary aircraft parking and storage solutions at the St. Athan base with capacity for more than 20 parked aircraft, including maintenance check support during storage periods, offered to airlines and lessors.
• End-of-Lease Transition Services Transition and redelivery maintenance services for aircraft returning from lease, including entry into service preparations and aircraft inspections, delivered to aircraft leasing companies for their managed narrow-body portfolios.
• Caerdav Apprenticeship Academy Three-year aerospace engineering apprenticeship programme delivered in partnership with Cardiff and Vale College ICAT, combining classroom study with paid hands-on training at the St. Athan facility, designed to address the aviation industry-wide skills shortage.

Quantifiable outcome

• Doubled maintenance capacity in 18 months by opening fourth maintenance line
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• ELMS AviationcoreTechnology or IntegrationAdopted ELMS cloud-based Competence and Compliance Solution for tracking staff training, competency, and certification. Extended partnership at MRO Europe 2025 continuing use of ELMS Solution for employee training management.
• JMC GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive agreement with aviation manpower specialist for supplying skilled engineers to support larger projects and faster turnaround times. JMC supplies over 1,200 skilled personnel weekly to aviation clients globally.
• AerospheresmajorTechnology or IntegrationConsignment agreement for maintaining stock levels of materials including tapes, oils, sealants, adhesives, and composites at Caerdav's St. Athan facility. Announced at MRO Europe 2025, streamlines acquisition and supply of maintenance stock.
• PDQ AirsparesmajorTechnology or IntegrationExtended consignment agreement where PDQ places inventory at Caerdav's St. Athan facility for direct consumption. Original agreement announced at MRO Europe Barcelona, extended at MRO Europe 2025 London.
• BoeingmajorTechnology or IntegrationNew materials rebate program announced at MRO Europe 2025, establishing commercial relationship for materials procurement.
• Cardiff and Vale College / ICATcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with International Centre for Aerospace Training (ICAT) to deliver the award-winning Caerdav Apprenticeship Academy. Year 1 classroom training at ICAT, Years 2-3 paid hands-on apprenticeship at St. Athan facility.
• Coleg y CymoeddmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInitial partnership with Coleg y Cymoedd (four campuses in South Wales) for Level 3 Aircraft Maintenance Apprenticeship Programme, combining classroom study with hands-on work.
• Trade & Invest WalesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGovernment body invited Caerdav to join Aerospace Wales Pavilion at MRO Europe, providing platform to showcase South Wales aviation maintenance capabilities.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• AerFin: UK-based independent aerospace services provider focused on end-of-life aircraft, engine parts, and component MRO. Comparable independent profile with similar focus on narrow-body platform lifecycle support.
• Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group: Independent UK aerospace services company with comparable MRO, modification, and engineering capabilities serving commercial and defense customers. Similar independent positioning and UK base make it a close analog to Caerdav.
• Magnetic MRO: Independent European MRO headquartered in Estonia with base and line maintenance capabilities. Comparable independent positioning and similar scale of operations serving narrow-body customers.
• Aviation Technical Services (ATS): Independent US MRO providing heavy maintenance, modification, and component services on commercial narrow-body platforms. Closest US analog to Caerdav's independent narrow-body MRO model.
• Sabena Aerospace: Belgian independent aerospace MRO with strong Airbus A320 family base maintenance heritage. Comparable independent, European narrow-body MRO profile.
• British Airways Maintenance Cardiff (BAMC): IAG-owned line and base maintenance provider operating at Cardiff Airport — the same South Wales geography as Caerdav. Directly competes for narrow-body MRO slots with overlapping B737 capabilities.

Emerging players

• 2Excel Aviation: UK aviation services company with special mission, line maintenance, and aerospace training operations. Smaller UK peer with overlapping aviation services footprint but different primary focus.
• FL Technics: Lithuania-based independent MRO providing base and line maintenance on Airbus A320 family and Boeing 737. Comparable independent narrow-body focus and emerging-market European positioning.

Broad incumbents

• StandardAero: Global independent MRO offering base maintenance, component, and engine services. Larger incumbent operating in adjacent MRO categories but competing for the same airline customers.
• SR Technics: Global independent MRO with broad base maintenance, engine, and component capabilities across commercial platforms. Larger scale incumbent operating in same MRO category though broader portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/caerdav
• Facebookfacebook.com/caerdav

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Caerdav