Groundbreaking begins on $5.1bn complex at Dubai South development.
Middle Eastern operator Emirates Group has commenced construction on an extensive engineering facility being established at Dubai World Central airport.
The company values the facility — part of the Dubai South development programme — at $5.1 billion.
Featuring hangars with capacity for 28 widebody aircraft, the 1.1 million m² facility will be the largest steel structure in the Gulf Co-operation Council and offer a range of engineering capabilities.
These include a dedicated landing-gear workshop and two paint hangars, plus an administrative and training centre. The company adds that it will also be able to handle narrowbody models.
Emirates Group chief Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum says the new complex, on which groundbreaking has just started, will bring more specialist capabilities “under one roof” — and position the carrier as a “strategic engineering partner” for the aviation industry.
Development is being undertaken by infrastructure firm China Railway Construction Corporation and the facility will be completed by mid-2030.
Emirates says the complex will initially offer heavy maintenance to aircraft, and take on “spillover” work from its main Dubai International airport engineering base.
It had previously unveiled plans for a $950 million purpose-built Dubai South engineering centre towards the end of 2023, with completion in 2027.
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