Emirates to build $950m engineering facility at Dubai World Central

Image courtesy: Emirates Group

Emirates Airline has announced a record $950m investment to build a new ultra-modern engineering facility at Dubai World Central (DWC).

The new engineering facility will be equipped to handle the complete range of specialist aircraft engineering services ranging from routine aircraft checks to bespoke paint jobs, light to heavy maintenance programmes, and engine repair and testing.

“This significant investment signals our confidence in the future growth of Emirates and the aviation sector,” Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group said on the sidelines of the Dubai Airshow.

“The new facility will enable Emirates to be entirely self-sufficient when it comes to maintenance, repairs, overhaul and all engineering requirements for our aircraft fleet.”

The facility, which is purpose-built to support the carrier’s fleet and operating requirements into the 2040s, will be a centre of excellence for commercial aviation engineering services in the Middle East.

Emirates carrier plans to potentially offer spare capacity to other airline operators.

The engineering complex will be spread over one million square metres – the largest and most advanced of its kind to be operated by any airline, adding a boost to Dubai’s world-class aviation infrastructure.

The first phase of the project will deliver eight maintenance hangars and one paint hangar – capable of handling any size of commercial aircraft up to Code F (A380).

It will also feature an engine run-up facility, some 20 support workshops, massive storage facilities, and administration offices.

Emirates said the existing engineering facility at Dubai International will continue to support the airline’s operations, with the new complex at DWC initially handling spillover work and heavy maintenance programmes.

Emirates’ investment strategy

Meanwhile, Emirates opened the Dubai Airshow 2023 with a massive order for 95 additional wide-body aircraft, taking its total order book to 295 aircraft.

The Dubai-based long-haul-carrier placed an order for 90 more Boeing 777X jets, including both variants of the future long-haul jet.

The airline also added five more Boeing 787s to an existing order, saying the total package of new widebody jets was worth more than $50bn and aims to power its growth plans, maintain a modern efficient fleet, and deliver the best flying experience.

However, Emirates Airline President Tim Clark ruled out an immediate deal to acquire Airbus A350 aircraft barring a breakthrough in engine talks with Rolls-Royce.

Speaking to reporters on the second day of the Dubai Airshow 2023, Clark said Emirates wanted improvements in durability and maintenance costs.

Emirates reported Dhs9.4bn in half-year profit from Dhs4bn for the same period a year ago, while its revenues soared by 19 per cent Dhs59.5bn from Dhs13.7bn – driven by strong passenger demand for international travel across markets.

The airline, which relies on its vast global network and does not have any domestic routes, carried 26.1 million passengers between April 1 and September 30, a 31 per cent increase compared to the same period a year ago.

Read: Emirates confirms $52bn widebody aircraft order