Emirates has started construction of a US$5.1 billion engineering complex at Dubai South, a project the airline says will become one of the world’s largest and most advanced aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities. The groundbreaking took place at Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) in the presence of Emirates Group chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Emirates president Sir Tim Clark, Dubai South officials and representatives of China Railway Construction Corporation, which has been appointed main contractor. Artelia has been named project consultant.
The development will cover about 1.1 million square meters and is planned as the largest steel structure in the GCC. The hangar complex is designed to handle 28 widebody aircraft at the same time, supported by two dedicated paint hangars able to accommodate widebody jets and, when required, narrowbody aircraft. Emirates states the site will include the world’s largest free-span hangar at 285 meters in width and the largest dedicated landing gear workshop.
The facility will provide 77,000 square meters of workshop space for repairs and maintenance and around 380,000 square meters for storage and logistics. A new administrative building will add 50,000 square meters of office space and 15,000 square meters for training. All buildings are targeting LEED Platinum certification, with extensive rooftop solar installations among other measures. Construction is scheduled for completion by mid-2030, after which the complex is expected to take on heavy maintenance work and overflow projects from Emirates’ existing engineering center at Dubai International Airport.