Emirates Breaks Ground on New $5.1 Billion Engineering Facility at Dubai South

Emirates has announced the start of construction on the world’s largest and most advanced aviation engineering facility at Dubai South (DWC airport).  The new hangar complex will be capable of handling 28 widebody aircraft simultaneously. 

The ceremonial groundbreaking of Emirates' new engineering facility at Dubai South in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates airline and Group - Courtesy Emirates

On Monday (May 18, 2026), Emirates announced that they have broken ground on their new $5.1 billion engineering complex at Dubai South, which will reportedly become the world’s most modern and advanced maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility, advancing Emirates’ and Dubai’s leadership in global aviation capability and infrastructure.  The new facility is being built by China Railway Construction Corporation, a leading construction and infrastructure development company, with Artelia serving as project consultants.

In Monday’s announcement, Emirates Airline and Group’s Chairman and CEO, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, said,

“Today’s groundbreaking for the US$ 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.”

Also commenting on the new MRO construction project, Dubai Aviation City Corporation and Dubai South’s Executive Chairman, HE Khalifa 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.”

China Railway Construction Corporation’s Chairman, Mr. Dai Hegen, added,

“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.”

Emirates’ new engineering facility at Dubai South will span 1.1 million square meters, 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 widebody aircraft and two painting hangars.  The facility will also boast the largest free-span hangar in the world at a width of 285 meters, along with the largest dedicated landing gear workshop in the world.  Additionally, the facility will include 7,000 square meters of dedicated workshop space for repairs and maintenance, and 380,000 square meters of storage and logistics capacity.

Infographic Emirates New Engineering Dubai South Facility - Courtesy Emirates

The two state-of-the-art paint hangars will service Emirates’ widebody fleet, and will have extended capacity to handle single-aisle aircraft as well.  The technical facilities will be supported by a dedicated administrative building for Emirates Engineering, providing 50,000 square meters of office space and 15,000 square meters of training facilities, as well as a gateway facility that will control airside access.  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).

Source: Emirates