UAE budget carrier flydubai broke ground on its USD 190 mn aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility in Dubai South, according to a statement. The facility — scheduled for completion in 4Q 2026 — will span 32.6k sqm and host an aircraft hangar, support workshops, and office buildings.

The rationale: “When it is up and running in 2026, the MRO facility on Dubai South will bring us significant reductions in operational costs,” COO Mick Hills said. “Having our own in-country MRO facility will ensure a quicker turnaround of our fleet maintenance while adhering to the highest quality standards.”

Part of a larger strategy: Flydubai has been on a quest to secure catered MRO services for its growing operations in order to cut down on costs and reduce schedule disruptions due to repairs. In February, the airline inked a services agreement with Boeing that will see the latter provide tailored parts packages, including quick engine change kits for the airline’s 737 Max fleet.

REFRESHER- Flydubai secured an agreement with Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH) in Dubai South to set up the purpose-built MRO facility back in November 2023. MBRAH launched the first phase of its Aerospace Supply Chain zone in Dubai South in April, featuring 11 separate facilities tailored to support engine shops, solution workshops, and landing gear MRO services.

UAE’s been getting a lot of MRO attention lately: Falcon Aviation is set to plug nearly USD 100 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, and Etihad Engineering all had a streak of MRO agreements at MRO Middle East forum in Dubai back in February.

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