PARIS -- Emirates Airline has unveiled plans for the construction of the most technologically advanced Engine Overhaul Shop in Asia.
The state-of-the-art Engine Shop will complement the present Test Cell Facility in Dubai and will be constructed on a 90,000 square meter piece of land at an estimated cost of US $120 million. The growth of the Emirates fleet and the subsequent number of operating engines have necessitated the need for an in-house Engine Shop in Dubai to provide the most cost-effective, efficient engine maintenance.
"The establishment of an Engine Shop reemphasizes Emirates' commitment to provide the highest standard of in-house maintenance to its fleet, utilizing best practices," said His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum. "The Engine Shop will create over 500 new job opportunities, with a large percentage of these to be occupied by UAE nationals."
The Engine Shop will have the capability of performing 300 engine repairs per annum for the GE90 and GP7000 engines fitted to the B777 and A380 aircraft. This announcement represents another milestone for Emirates Engineering in their efforts to increase engine maintenance capability in terms of volume and repairs. It is anticipated that construction will commence by first quarter of 2012 and commissioned by the fourth quarter of 2014.
Emirates has signed a Letter of Intent with General Electric (GE) to oversee the design and construction of the Shop using the most advanced technology, equipment and best practices in the industry.
"We are very pleased and proud to be working with Emirates in supporting the building of the Engine Shop and to use GE expertise in this field to introduce best industry practices in managing engine repairs," said Mr Muhammad Al-Lamadani, Senior Executive Sales, VP GE International Inc.
About Emirates Airline: Dubai-based Emirates Airline (www.emirates.com) is one of the fastest growing airlines in the world, and has received more than 400 international awards for excellence. Emirates now flies to113 destinations in 66 countries. The airline reported a net profit of USD$1.5 billion for the last fiscal year. Emirates operates 153 wide-body Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and has orders for an additional 199 aircraft, worth more than USD$66 billion.
About GE Aviation: GE Aviation, an operating unit of GE (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of jet and turboprop engines, components and integrated systems for commercial, military, business and general aviation aircraft. GE Aviation has a global service network to support these offerings.