How can MRO help Malaysia capture low altitude economy growth?

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MRO can help Malaysia capture low altitude economy growth by expanding local maintenance and repair capacity for drones, UAVs, air taxis and eVTOL aircraft
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said Malaysia has not yet fully leveraged maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) opportunities in the low altitude economy (LAE), even though it already has a base in traditional aviation and aerospace. He described LAE as encompassing drones, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), air taxis and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, and said Malaysia’s LAE growth can be supported through clearer standards and a regulatory framework led by the Civil Aviation Authority Malaysia (CAAM). In his view, MRO is one of the “myriad opportunities” in LAE, alongside logistics, tourism, agriculture and advanced technology.
Malaysia currently relies on US and Europe standards for aviation MRO
Loke said Malaysia’s current manufacturing and MRO activities largely follow standards set by the United States or Europe. For LAE, he noted that standards and frameworks are being developed globally, and Malaysia should use the timing to develop its own frameworks and standards rather than relying only on external ones. This shift matters because MRO work in LAE depends on the applicable standards and how they are translated into operational expectations.
MRO is positioned as a direct LAE opportunity alongside other sectors
He explicitly pointed to MRO as part of the range of opportunities in LAE, which also includes logistics, tourism, agriculture and advanced technology. The premise is that LAE platforms such as drones and eVTOL aircraft create ongoing maintenance and repair needs, which can translate into local work for Malaysian firms. By expanding MRO capability in the LAE segment, Malaysia can capture a portion of the activity that otherwise remains tied to overseas providers.
Clear regulatory guidelines are the foundation for LAE operations that MRO supports
Loke stressed that a clear regulatory framework is the foundation for LAE to “take off,” because safety oversight is needed for both passengers and cargo. Without guidelines, he said the sector will not develop, implying that maintenance and repair activities cannot scale reliably without defined oversight expectations. The ministry’s tasking of CAAM to develop a comprehensive LAE regulatory framework is intended to support safe airspace integration and operational oversight, which in turn creates the conditions for industry development where MRO can operate.
CAAM is tasked to build a comprehensive LAE regulatory framework
The ministry instructed CAAM to develop a comprehensive LAE regulatory framework, described by Loke as a foundation for safe airspace integration, operational oversight, industry development and future mobility solutions. He linked this framework to the ability to manage safety oversight needs for passengers and cargo, which are central to how LAE systems can be deployed and sustained. Within that structure, MRO can be positioned as an enabling capability for the LAE ecosystem rather than a standalone activity.

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How can MRO help Malaysia capture low altitude economy growth?

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