Dubai South signs Phoenix Aviation deal for new wide-body aircraft facility due in early 2029

Dubai South announced on 30 October that it has signed an agreement with Phoenix Aviation for a new airside plot at Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH). The development will establish a centre of excellence for wide-body aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), cabin modifications and completion, and cargo conversion, supporting growing demand for specialised aviation services. The signing ceremony took place during MRO Europe.

What will be built

Scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2029, the development will comprise a 35,000-square-metre hangar designed to accommodate three wide-body aircraft, including types such as the Boeing 777X and Airbus A350, plus an 18,000-square-metre delivery centre for aircraft handovers and storage, 15,000 square metres of workshops and stores, and 3,000 square metres of offices. The expansion will bring Phoenix Aviation's total number of hangars at MBRAH to two, alongside its A380-compatible MRO hangar.

Why it matters for Dubai aviation

Nabil Alkindi, Group CEO of Dubai South, said the agreement advances its mandate to develop an integrated aviation ecosystem that attracts international investment and strengthens Dubai's role in the global aerospace industry. Gilles Negre, Founder and Chairman of Phoenix Aviation, said the development is designed to address growing demand for wide-body aircraft services, improve operational efficiency and reduce aircraft ground time, serving a broader range of international airlines across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.