Dubai South locks in 1.29 mn sq ft MRO zone: Dubai South’s aerospace platform Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH) has launched the first phase of its Aerospace Supply Chain zone, according to a statement. No investment ticket for the first phase of the zone has been disclosed.

What we know: The zone’s first phase — spanning over 1.29 mn sqm — features 11 separate facilities which are tailored to support engine shops, solution workshops, component and landing gear maintenance, as well as repair and overhaul. A second phase — currently under development with completion scheduled in 2Q 2026 — will add a further 1.72 mn sqm, including the region’s first vertical aerospace complex — the Suppliers Complex. The vertical facility — offering 88 leasable units across three levels — will target startups and small and medium businesses active in areas like maintenance services, carrier parts trade, and aerospace drones.

The rationale: The new phase is capitalizing on the rising demand for MRO services, which has surged in recent years, mainly due to aircraft delivery delays forcing airliners globally to rely more on aging fleets. The new facility is also set to meet rising demand in the UAE as Al Maktoum International Airport development nears completion, CEO Tahnoon Saif said.

UAE’s been getting a lot of MRO attention lately: Falcon Aviation is set to plug nearly USD100 mn (c. AED 367 mn) over the next five years into upgrading its MRO facilities at Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport. MBRAH, Liebherr-Aerospace, Flydubai and Etihad Engineering all had a streak of MRO agreements at MRO Middle East in Dubai last month. MBRAH also secured two agreements to establish MRO facilities in Dubai South back in October — the first was with the France-based aerospace and transport firm Liebherr-Aerospace and the second was signed with International Energy Resources MRO Industries.

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