Emirates has announced plans to develop a massive new engineering and maintenance complex at Al Maktoum International Airport, a project expected to become one of the world’s largest aviation engineering facilities.
The airline’s engineering division will build the new site in partnership with China Railway Construction Corporation, commonly known as CRCC. The agreement was signed at Dubai South headquarters near the airport by Emirates chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum and CRCC chairman Dai Hegen.
According to Emirates, the project will cover around one million square metres and involve investment exceeding $5 billion. Construction is expected to continue through the end of the decade, with completion targeted between 2030 and mid-2030.
Adel Al Redha, Deputy President and Chief Operating Officer of Emirates Airline, said the new engineering centre would nearly double the size of the carrier’s current facilities and significantly expand its maintenance capabilities.
He said the complex would be capable of handling 28 wide-body aircraft at the same time, allowing Emirates to carry out major maintenance work, aircraft modifications and fleet conversions under one roof. The facility will also support passenger-to-freighter conversions and the reverse process as cargo demand and airline fleet requirements continue to evolve globally.
The site is also expected to feature large-scale aircraft painting operations, with the ability to paint several wide-body aircraft simultaneously. Al Redha described the planned hub as a future “centre of excellence” for aviation engineering and maintenance services.
The project forms part of Dubai’s broader aviation expansion strategy centred on Al Maktoum International Airport, also known as Dubai World Central. The airport is being developed into one of the world’s largest aviation hubs and is expected to play a major role in the emirate’s long-term economic and transport plans.
Industry analysts say the investment reflects growing demand for aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul services as airlines expand fleets and modernise aircraft. The aviation sector has also seen rising interest in cargo aircraft conversions due to continued growth in global air freight and e-commerce markets.
CRCC, one of China’s largest state-backed construction groups, will support the design and development of the engineering complex. The company has extensive experience in major infrastructure projects across transport, aviation and urban development sectors.
The new engineering hub is expected to strengthen Dubai’s position as a leading global aviation centre while creating additional technical and engineering capacity for Emirates as the airline continues fleet expansion plans. The carrier currently operates one of the world’s largest fleets of wide-body aircraft, including Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s.
