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Emirates to build $120m 
in-house engine shop

In this regard, Emirates airline and GE Aviation on Monday signed an agreement that will enable GE to help oversee the design and construction of Emirates’ new technologically-advanced Engine Overhaul Shop to be built in Dubai using the most advanced technology, equipment and best practices in the industry.

The growth of the Emirates fleet and the subsequent increasing number of engines have necessitated the need for an in-house Engine Overhaul Shop in Dubai to provide the most cost-effective, efficient engine maintenance.

“The in-house Engine Shop will allow Emirates to provide the highest standard of maintenance to its fleet and will create more than 500 new job opportunities, with a large percentage of these to be occupied by UAE nationals,” said Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum. “By collaborating with GE, the new Engine Overhaul Shop will utilise OEM best practices to ensure high quality maintenance, repair and overhaul on our engine fleet,” Shaikh Ahmed added.

Construction of the new Engine Overhaul Shop will begin in the first quarter of 2012, and is expected to be operational by the fourth quarter of 2014. The 21,000 square meter Engine Overhaul Shop will be the most advanced facility in Asia and will complement Emirates’ Test Cell Facility in Dubai. The Engine Overhaul Shop will be constructed on a 90,000 square meter piece of land adjacent to the Test Cell Facility and will cost an estimated $120 million.

“GE Aviation is proud to work with Emirates on this new high-tech Engine Shop and to share our expertise on maintenance, repair and overhaul,” said David Joyce, president and chief executive officer of GE Aviation.

“With Emirates growing fleet, the new facility will enhance the airline’s services capabilities and ensure their engines receive the highest quality maintenance to keep them in top operating condition,” Joyce added.

The facility will have the capability of performing 300 engine repairs per year on GE90 and GP7000 engines that power the Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 aircraft respectively. This announcement represents another milestone for Emirates Engineering in their efforts to increase engine maintenance capability in terms of volume and repairs.

abdulbasit@khaleejtimes.com