MTU finalizes leadership roles in commercial engine segment
| André Sinanian appointed as SVP Commercial Programs of MTU Aero Engines
| Patrick Biebel takes over the lead of MTU Maintenance Berlin-Brandenburg
| Remko Bruinsma to lead MTU’s leasing and asset management business
Munich, December 12, 2025 | Engine expert MTU Aero Engines will ring in 2026 with fresh leaders in its commercial engine business. The appointments are being made following Ottmar Pfänder’s promotion as Chief Program Officer to MTU’s Executive Board and include Managing Directors of several subsidiaries.
Effective January 1, 2026, André Sinanian will succeed Ottmar Pfänder as Senior Vice President for all commercial engine programs at MTU Aero Engines, after more than 15 years at the helm of MTU Maintenance Berlin-Brandenburg.
In turn, Patrick Biebel, presently Managing Director of MTU Maintenance Lease Services, MTU’s leasing and asset management arm in Amsterdam, will take over as Managing Director and SVP at MTU Maintenance Berlin-Brandenburg. The Ludwigsfelde site southwest of Berlin specializes in the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of business, regional and narrowbody engines, as well as industrial gas turbines (IGT). Remko Bruinsma, currently VP of Asset Management Solutions, will succeed Biebel at MTU Maintenance Lease Services.
“This optimal use of MTU experience and expertise will further strengthen our commercial business segment, both operationally and strategically. André Sinanian has an impressive international track record in developing our MRO business in aerospace and beyond. He played a key role in the expansion of several MRO programs, commercially as well as operationally – most recently in the evolution of MTU Maintenance Fort Worth from a dedicated on-site services location to a comprehensive MRO site. Under André’s responsibility, MTU Maintenance Berlin-Brandenburg has quadrupled its revenue and doubled the number of employees,” comments Ottmar Pfänder regarding the new line-up.
Pfänder continues: “Patrick Biebel has grown MTU Maintenance Lease Services from a start-up to a major player in the global engine leasing and asset management business, and created a strategic roadmap for its continued growth until 2030. Coupled with his business development and operational experiences at MTU in Munich and Vancouver, respectively, he has the best prerequisites for shaping the future of the Ludwigsfelde site together with the dedicated team. Remko Bruinsma is a proven expert in the leasing industry and the best choice to lead our growing subsidiary into the future.”
In the engine maintenance business, MTU is the global leader in custom MRO solutions for aero engines and industrial gas turbines. MTU Maintenance’s portfolio is comprised of over 30 current and new generation engine models, and it offers leasing, asset management and digital services beyond its core MRO service provisions. Since its founding in 1979, MTU Maintenance has performed over 25,000 shop visits.
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ABOUT MTU AERO ENGINES
MTU Aero Engines AG is a globally recognized expert in commercial and military aircraft engines. MTU‘s high-tech expertise ranges from the development and production of high-quality components to the final assembly of complete engines and the maintenance of aircraft engines and stationary gas turbines. In the financial year 2024, the DAX-listed company generated revenues of 7.5 billion euros. MTU technology can be found providing reliable thrust in one in three commercial aircraft worldwide. And every year, MTU maintains around 1,500 engines and industrial gas turbines. At 19 locations on five continents, more than 13,000 employees from over 80 nations contribute to safe global mobility. Together with other European engine manufacturers, MTU has also been ensuring and supporting the operational readiness of air forces for decades. To continue to benefit from the sustained growth of the aviation industry in the years to come, the company is investing in its expertise, industrial capacities and in future commercial and military engine concepts in Germany and worldwide. With the passion and innovative strength of its employees, MTU is shaping modern aviation – today, tomorrow and in the decades to come.