19/05/2026 04:09 AST
Emirates has broken ground on its new $5.1 billion engineering complex at Dubai South slated to become the world's most modern and advanced maintenance, repairs and overhaul (MRO) facility, cementing Emirates' and Dubai's leadership in global aviation capability and infrastructure.
Emirates' new engineering facility is being delivered by China Railway Construction Corporation, a leading construction and infrastructure development company with Artelia being appointed the project consultants.
The groundbreaking ceremony was held in the presence of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates airline and Group, Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline, Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation and Dubai South, and Dai Hegen, Chairman, China Railway Construction Corporation Limited.
World-class Infrastructure
Emirates' new engineering facility at Dubai South will span a staggering 1.1 million square metres, making it one of the largest buildings in the world by volume and the largest steel structure in the GCC.
The facility will also feature the world's only hangar complex with the ability to simultaneously service 28 wide-body aircraft and two painting hangars. Other notable features of the mega-facility include:
- The largest free-span hangar in the world at a width of 285 metres
- The largest dedicated landing gear workshop in the world
- 77,000 sq m of dedicated workshop space for repairs and maintenance
- 0380,000 sq m of storage and logistics capacity
- Two state of the art paint hangars to service Emirates' fleet of wide-body aircraft with extended capacity to also handle narrow body aircraft.
The technical facilities will be supported by a new dedicated administrative building for Emirates Engineering providing 50,000 sq m of office space and 15,000 sq m of training facilities as well as a gateway facility that will control airside access.
Setting sustainability benchmarks
Emirates' new engineering complex at Dubai South is also expected to set new benchmarks for sustainability with all project facilities targeting a LEED Platinum rating and with solar panels installed on the roofs across the complex among other initiatives.
Construction of the facility is expected to be completed by middle of 2030 and the hangar complex will initially start servicing aircraft requiring heavy maintenance and spillover projects from the Emirates Engineering Centre at Dubai International Airport (DXB).
Sheikh Ahmed said: "Today's groundbreaking for the $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."
Al Zaffin said: "At Dubai South, our mandate is aligned with the vision of our wise leadership to further strengthen Dubai's position as the aviation capital of the world through the development of an integrated ecosystem that supports the future needs of the global aviation sector. The groundbreaking of this world-class facility marks another milestone in advancing the aviation infrastructure surrounding Al Maktoum International Airport, which is set to become the largest once completed. 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."
Hegen said: "As an important milestone reflecting the good-neighbourly friendship and practical cooperation between China and the UAE, this project fully aligns with the consensus reached by the two heads of state and Dubai's economic development vision, and demonstrates Emirates' high recognition of CRCC's comprehensive strength and brand reputation. As the main contractor, we will uphold our core values, mobilize premium resources and assemble a professional team to deliver high-standard construction, efficient progress and quality results, striving to build a model project for China-UAE cooperation and contribute our full strength to deepening bilateral economic and trade ties and building a China-UAE community with a shared future."
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