Emirates has started construction of a $5.1 billion maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) complex at Dubai South, near Al Maktoum International Airport, in what is set to become one of the largest aviation engineering facilities in the world. The project covers around 1.1 million square meters, making it one of the largest buildings globally by volume and the largest steel structure in the GCC, according to the airline.
The hangar complex is designed to handle 28 widebody aircraft at the same time, supported by two dedicated paint hangars able to accommodate Emirates widebody jets and, when needed, narrowbody aircraft. Plans include 77,000 square meters of workshop space for repairs and maintenance and 380,000 square meters of storage and logistics capacity.
The site will also house a 50,000-square-meter administrative building for Emirates Engineering and 15,000 square meters of training facilities. Emirates says all project facilities are targeting LEED Platinum environmental certification and will incorporate rooftop solar power. Construction is expected to be completed by mid-2030, with the hangar complex initially taking on heavy maintenance and overflow work from the airline’s existing engineering center at Dubai International Airport before the new site ramps up to full operations.