Dubai, UAE — Dubai’s flagship carrier Emirates has broken ground on a $5.1 billion engineering complex at Dubai South, a project the airline says will become the world’s most advanced maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility.
The project is intended to strengthen Emirates’ aviation engineering capabilities while reinforcing Dubai’s ambitions to expand its position as a global aviation and economic hub. The complex is scheduled for completion by mid-2030.
The facility is being delivered by China Railway Construction Corporation, while Artelia has been appointed as the project consultant.
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Tim Clark, Khalifa Al Zaffin and Dai Hegen.
Sheikh Ahmed said the facility would support Emirates Engineering’s vertical integration strategy by consolidating infrastructure, specialist capabilities, parts production and technical skills under one roof.
He added that the investment aligns with Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and supports Dubai’s ambitions to remain a global aviation centre.
Al Zaffin said the project marked another milestone in expanding aviation infrastructure surrounding Al Maktoum International Airport, which is expected to become the world’s largest airport when completed.
Hegen said the project reflected growing China-UAE cooperation and aligned with Dubai’s economic development vision, adding that CRCC would mobilise resources and specialist teams to deliver the project.
The engineering complex will cover 1.1 million square metres, making it one of the world’s largest buildings by volume and the GCC’s largest steel structure, according to Emirates.
The facility will include a hangar complex capable of servicing 28 wide-body aircraft simultaneously alongside two aircraft paint hangars. Emirates said the site would also house the world’s largest free-span hangar at 285 metres wide, the largest dedicated landing gear workshop and 77,000 square metres of repair workshop space.
Additional infrastructure includes 380,000 square metres of storage and logistics capacity, administrative offices covering 50,000 square metres and 15,000 square metres of training facilities.
Emirates said all project facilities are targeting LEED Platinum certification, with solar panels planned across rooftops as part of sustainability initiatives.
Once operational, the complex will initially handle heavy maintenance requirements and spillover projects from the Emirates Engineering Centre at Dubai International Airport.
