Emirates announce major investments in aircraft and new engineering facility at Dubai Air Show
Emirates announced a US$950 million investment to build a new ultra-modern engineering facility at Dubai World Central (DWC). Spread over 1 million square metres, the engineering complex will be the largest and most advanced of its kind to be operated by any airline, adding a boost to Dubai’s world-class aviation infrastructure.
Purpose-built to support Emirates’ aircraft fleet and operating requirements into the 2040s, the facility will also be a centre of excellence for commercial aviation engineering services in the Middle East, with spare capacity potentially offered to other airline operators.
Commenting on the investment at the Dubai Airshow, HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates airline and Group, said: "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."
Emirates’ new engineering facility will be equipped to handle the full gamut of specialist aircraft engineering services - from routine aircraft checks to bespoke paint jobs, light to heavy maintenance programmes, engine repair and testing, to full cabin interior fit-outs and aircraft conversions.
Phase 1 of the project will deliver 8 maintenance hangars and 1 paint hangar – all capable of handling any size of commercial aircraft up to Code F (A380), an engine run-up facility, some 20 support workshops, massive storage facilities, and administration offices.
The existing Emirates Engineering Centre at Dubai International (DXB) will continue to support the airline’s operations, with the new complex at DWC initially handling spillover work and heavy maintenance programmes with longer aircraft ground time. ADP Ingénierie has been appointed as project consultants.
Emirates opened the Dubai Airshow 2023 with a significant order for 95 additional wide-body aircraft, taking its total order book to 295 aircraft. Already the world’s biggest operator of wide-body passenger aircraft, Emirates has committed to additional Boeing 777-9s, 777-8s, and 787s, worth US$52 billion, to power its growth plans, maintain a modern efficient fleet, and deliver the best flying experience to its customers.
HH Sheikh Ahmed commented: "From day 1, Emirates’ business model has been to operate modern and efficient wide-body aircraft capable of carrying large numbers of travellers comfortably and safely, over long distances to and via Dubai. These additional aircraft will enable Emirates to connect even more cities, supporting the Dubai economic agenda D33, to add 400 cities to Dubai’s foreign trade map over the next decade. By the early 2030s, we expect the Emirates fleet to be around 350-strong, connecting Dubai to even more cities around the world."
HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Ruler of Dubai visited Emirates on the first day of the 2023 Dubai Air Show. His highness was welcomed by Adel Al Redha, Chief Operating Officer, Emirates who gave an overview of the latest in the airline’s employee experience which uses extended reality to train new joiners. Starting with Cabin Crew training, the gamified environments set inside Emirates aircraft offer a glimpse into future simulated experiences, providing a cutting-edge approach to learning and service skills development.
