Emirates Announces Massive New Facility

Emirates has announced plans to build a new engineering facility worth USD 950 million at Dubai World Central.

A Key Part Of Emirates’ Future

The new facility will be spread across a staggering 1 million square metres. As a result, the complex will be the most significant and advanced offered by any airline.

Emirates, therefore, sees it as a crucial part of the world-class aviation infrastructure offered in Dubai.

The Emirates fleet into the 2040s will be supported thanks to the operating requirements being added to the facility.

Additionally, spare capacity will be built into the significant facility to allow other airline operators to utilise the offerings.

Ultimately, Emirates says that work on the first construction phase is slated to begin as early as 2024.

Current guidance will see the first construction phase conclude three years later, in 2027.

Emirates, however, is already analysing means to increase the facility. The airline is cited in its release as saying the potential doubling of capacity in Phase two could occur.

All this would align with Emiroates’ significant fleet growth plans, bolstered with an order for the 777X and 787 during the 2023 Dubai Airshow.

The Specifics Of Phase 1

Emirates says that its Phase 1 construction will deliver several new hangars and much more.

Eight total maintenance hangars will be available alongside a singular paint hangar. Emirates will construct these hangars to hold any commercial aircraft size up to the Airbus A380.

Additionally, there’ll be an engine run-up facility, some 20 support workshops, huge storage facilities and several administration offices.

The engineering centre at Dubai International is slated to continue operating with the new DWC seeing work conducted.

Comments From Executives

This significant investment signals our confidence in the future growth of Emirates and the aviation sector. The new facility will enable Emirates to be entirely self-sufficient when it comes to maintenance, repairs, overhaul (MRO) and all engineering requirements for our aircraft fleet. It gives us operational stability and flexibility, and quality assurance. With the projected growth of the region’s aviation sector, Emirates’ new engineering facility will also play a key role as a centre of excellence, attracting the involvement of global players across the aviation supply chain. It’ll create thousands of skilled technical jobs and add value to Dubai’s economy.

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates airline and Group

Construction work on Phase 1 is expected to begin in 2024 and be completed in 2027.  Provisions have been made for further expansion, potentially doubling the capacity in Phase 2, in line with Emirates’ fleet growth and operational requirements. The new Emirates Engineering complex will also incorporate sustainability into its design, including: the use of green build materials throughout the complex; the installation of solar panels on roofs across the entire campus; and the set-up of recycling systems for oils and wastewater

Ali Mubarak Al Soori, Emirates Group Executive Vice President – Facilities, Projects Management & Group Procurement & Supply Chain