Emirates breaks ground on $5.1bn MRO mega-site at Dubai South

Emirates has broken ground on its new US$5.1 billion engineering complex at Dubai South, a major MRO investment scheduled for completion by mid-2030.

The facility is planned to span 1.1 million sqm and is being positioned by the airline as one of the world’s most modern and advanced aircraft maintenance facilities.

Emirates said the development will become one of the largest buildings in the world by volume and the largest steel structure in the GCC.

The hangar complex will be capable of servicing 28 widebody aircraft simultaneously and will include two painting hangars.

Other major elements include a 285-metre-wide free-span hangar, 77,000 sqm of dedicated workshop space, 380,000 sqm of storage and logistics capacity, and what Emirates described as the largest dedicated landing gear workshop in the world.

The technical facilities will be supported by a dedicated administrative building for Emirates Engineering, providing 50,000 sqm of office space and 15,000 sqm of training facilities. A gateway facility will also control airside access.

Emirates said the complex is expected to set new sustainability benchmarks, with all project facilities targeting LEED Platinum rating. Solar panels will also be installed across the complex’s roofs as part of wider sustainability initiatives.

Once operational, the hangar complex will initially handle aircraft requiring heavy maintenance, as well as spillover projects from the Emirates Engineering Centre at Dubai International Airport.

The new facility is being delivered by China Railway Construction Corporation, with Artelia appointed as project consultant.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group, said: “Today’s groundbreaking for the US$ 5.1 billion engineering facility is a strategic step forward in Dubai’s future-focused aviation ambitions.

“The new facility strengthens Emirates Engineering’s vertical integration strategy by bringing more skills, infrastructure, parts production, and specialist capabilities under one roof, while positioning the airline to serve as a strategic engineering partner for the future requirements of the regional and global aviation industry.

“This latest investment also aligns directly with Dubai Economic Agenda D33, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global economic hub and centre of aviation excellence, and lays the foundations for the next chapter of growth for Dubai, the UAE and the wider MRO industry.”

HE Khalifa Al Zaffin, executive chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation and Dubai South, said: “This project will play a key role in enhancing Dubai’s capabilities to cater to the growing demand for advanced aviation services and maintenance solutions, while reinforcing the emirate’s position as a global benchmark for aviation excellence, innovation, and long-term industry growth.”

READ MORE NEWS ABOUT EMIRATES ENGINEERING HERE

The post Emirates breaks ground on $5.1bn MRO mega-site at Dubai South appeared first on Aviation Business News.