Emirates has signed an agreement with GE Aerospace to develop in-house piece part component repair capabilities for its widebody engine fleet, focusing on GE90 and Engine Alliance GP7200 powerplants. The deal centers on technical consultancy and training support that will help the airline build a dedicated repair line for these engine types at its Emirates Engine Maintenance Centre (EEMC) in Dubai.
According to the companies, GE Aerospace will advise on setting up the new repair infrastructure and will provide knowledge transfer on best practices and industry benchmarks in component repair. The initiative is tied to Emirates’ previously announced US$300 million expansion of the EEMC, which is being scaled up to handle increased maintenance, repair and overhaul work for engines across the carrier’s fleet.
The agreement builds on a long-running relationship between Emirates and GE businesses covering engine supply, overhaul and flight-hour services for GE90-powered Boeing 777 aircraft, as well as a fleet management agreement for GP7200 engines on the airline’s Airbus A380s. By adding more detailed repair work to its Dubai capabilities, Emirates aims to perform a greater share of heavy engine maintenance within its own facilities.