flydubai to build $190m engineering facility in Dubai South

UAE budget carrier flydubai plans to build a $190m maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) facility in the Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH) in Dubai South by 2026.

The construction of the new hangar and workshop will start next year and is expected to be completed by the last quarter of 2026.

Over the years, flydubai has been expanding its in-house capabilities and in 2022 received its CAR-145 base maintenance approval from the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).

The approval allows the airline to perform C Checks and Entry-into-Service for its fleet of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.

“Dubai has emerged as a thriving aviation hub that fosters connectivity, innovation, growth and setting benchmarks for the global aviation industry,” Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of flydubai said in a statement, adding that the carrier will continue to invest in human capital and innovative technologies while building solid foundations to foster growth.

The low-cost carrier currently has a team of 455 skilled engineers working in line maintenance, technical services, materials and workshops who are responsible for ensuring the airworthiness and safety of its growing fleet.

“More than 230 engineers will join flydubai’s growing workforce over the next 12 months,” the airline said in a statement, adding that the recruitment drive will ensure it is well-positioned for the opening of the MRO facility by 2026.

flydubai, which marked 14 years of operations in June, operates a fleet of 80 Boeing 737 aircraft and will take delivery of more than 150 additional aircraft by 2030.

MBRAH offers global aerospace players investment opportunities and is a free-zone destination for global airlines, private jet companies, MROs, and associated industries.

flydubai soars to new heights

Meanwhile, flydubai committed to buy 30 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners – the airline’s first widebody aircraft order – in a deal valued at $11bn.

The carrier said deliveries of the new widebody aircraft are set to commence from 2026. It is currently evaluating engine options for its first Dreamliner order.

flydubai also has an order backlog of more than 130 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to be delivered by 2035. The carrier plans to open a $56m flight simulator and training facility at the flydubai Campus. The new facility will feature six simulator bays to cater to the budget carrier’s training needs for its growing team of pilots and is expected to reduce the cost of training in the future.

The construction of the facility has already begun and is scheduled to be fully operational by January 2025.

Read: Flydubai inks $11bn deal for 30 Boeing 787 Dreamliners