Cardiff Aviation

Cardiff Aviation, now operating under the name Caerdav, is an aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) and pilot training company based in St. Athan, Wales. The company was founded in 2012 by Bruce Dickinson, the lead singer of Iron Maiden, and business partner Mario Fulgoni. Dickinson, a licensed commercial pilot who previously flew for Astraeus Airlines, leveraged his passion for aviation to establish the enterprise.

Operating from a former RAF maintenance base in the St Athan-Cardiff Airport Aerospace Enterprise Zone, Caerdav's facilities include a 134,000-square-foot hangar complex and a 6,000ft runway. This expansive infrastructure can accommodate up to 20 narrow-body airliners, such as the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 families, which are the company's primary focus for MRO work. Caerdav holds numerous regulatory approvals, including from the EASA, FAA, and UK CAA, enabling it to serve a global client base. The business generates revenue by providing a comprehensive suite of aviation services. These include aircraft maintenance checks (from A to heavy C checks), structural repairs, engine and landing gear changes, cabin modifications, and end-of-lease transition services. Its client roster includes major airlines like TUI Airways and Ryanair, as well as aircraft leasing companies such as AerCap.

Initially facing financial difficulties, which Dickinson described as a "money pit," the company underwent a significant operational restructuring. In 2019, Cardiff Aviation rebranded to Caerdav to reflect a closer integration of its MRO and training divisions and to signal its growth ambitions. This strategic shift was supported by new management appointed in early 2019 and crucial investments, including a £4 million injection from BOOST&Co in 2022 to fund expansion and create 100 new jobs. The company has since achieved profitability. In addition to MRO, Caerdav offers pilot and cabin crew training, utilizing facilities that have included Boeing 747 and Sikorsky S-61 helicopter simulators. Recently, the firm expanded its services by opening a dedicated line maintenance station at Cardiff Airport to support operators like Avion Express.

Keywords: aircraft maintenance, MRO services, Caerdav, Bruce Dickinson, St. Athan, aviation training, Boeing 737 maintenance, Airbus A320 maintenance, aircraft leasing support, EASA Part-145, FAA repair station, airline engineering, cabin modifications, end-of-lease checks, pilot training simulators, aviation consultancy, line maintenance, UK aerospace, aircraft parking, aircraft storage, component repair, aviation technical services, flight simulator training, airline support