Transportation
Emirates Airlines Begins Construction of $5.1B Aircraft Maintenance Facility in Dubai
Project adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport will have world's largest free-standing hanger
The planned maintenance facility will be next to Al Maktoum International Airport, another hub serving Dubai
Emirates Airlines broke ground May 18 for a $5.1-billion aircraft engineering facility that is slated to become one of the world's largest aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul developments. The Dubai South facility, located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport, will be a massive, next-generation complex covering 1.1 million square meters.
Construction is already underway at the facility, which will have the world’s largest free-span hanger, according to a statement released by Dubai government-owned Emirates. At 285 meters wide, it will have capacity to simultaneously service 28 wide-body aircraft and include two state-of-the-art painting hangars. The site will include 77,000 sq m of dedicated workshop space for repairs and maintenance; 380,000 sq m for storage and logistics; an administrative building that will cover 50,000 sq m and an 15,000-sq-m training center. A dedicated airside access gateway will enable aircraft access to and from landing strips.
Financing for the complex will be provided entirely from Emirates’ own balance sheet and cash reserves. There is no indication of external lenders or separate government budget allocations. Emirates’ reported record 2025-26 financial results will provide the $5.1 billion capital investment. The airline entered fiscal 2025-26 with $16.2 billion in cash assets and record profits.
Dubai South is intended to establish Dubai as a global destination for aircraft engineering. It is already a major international hub for global air travel between eastern and western destinations.
The engineering facility "is a strategic step forward in Dubai’s future-focused aviation ambitions," said Emirates' Chairman and CEO Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum. "The new facility strengthens Emirates engineering 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.”
He added that the facility reinforces Dubai’s D33 economic agenda and its ambition to remain a global aviation hub. The long-term strategy is designed to double the size of Dubai’s economy within 10 years and position it among the top three global cities for business, investment and quality of life.
Work on Dubai South will be carried out by China Railway Construction Corp. Ltd, while the international consulting and engineering group Artelia will act as project consultant. The engineering facility is due to be completed in 2030 when it will start servicing aircraft requiring heavy maintenance and spillover projects from the airline's engineering center at Dubai International Airport, about 30 flying miles away.
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China Railway Construction Chairman Dai Hegen said the Beijing-based firm would “mobilize premium resources and assemble a professional team to deliver" the facility... striving to build a model project for China-UAE cooperation.”
Dubai South is also expected to set an example for sustainability, with all project facilities targeting a LEED Platinum rating, with features to include roof solar panels across the complex.
