Thanks to its strategic geographical location between Asia, Europe, and Africa, the UAE has strengthened its position as a main hub for international aircraft maintenance, not just regional. According to the report, the aircraft maintenance sector in the UAE is no longer just a service activity but has become a strategic economic pillar that supports the civil aviation system and enhances the country's ability to attract global airlines and expand their operational networks. The year 2025 saw significant developments that boosted the country's standing in this sector, as specialized zones like Dubai South and the Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Park attracted regional and international companies specializing in maintenance, support, and aircraft equipment, alongside an expansion in the construction of modern hangars and heavy maintenance facilities. The Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Project signed strategic agreements in 2025 with a elite of global companies, including Avia Solutions Group, the world's largest provider of aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance services, Aethiopian Aerospace, Tariq Al Faisail Holding Group, and Burj Holding. New facilities for companies like Satco, Team Aerospace, and RH Aero were also inaugurated, along with GE Aerospace announcing the laying of the foundation stone for a dedicated facility for aircraft maintenance and technical support within the project. With continued investments in infrastructure and technology, the UAE is expected to maintain its leading position in the Gulf aircraft maintenance market over the next five years, with a growing expansion in high-value and specialized services. Alongside maintenance companies in the country that are introducing artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, and aircraft health monitoring systems as part of a rapid shift towards a more efficient and intelligent maintenance model. Operational Readiness The report confirmed that the country's infrastructure is strategically oriented to enhance its capacity to service modern aircraft, including wide-body jets like the A380, through specialized hangars and maintenance centers equipped with the latest technologies. The UAE manages 12 hangars and services 255 aircraft. Emirates Engineering leads in airframe and engine maintenance. Strong infrastructure for wide-body aircraft maintenance. The Gulf market size is projected to reach $7.3 billion by 2030. The UAE continues to enhance its position as a regional and global center for aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul, capturing about 50% of the total aircraft maintenance market in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, supported by advanced infrastructure and a network of facilities considered among the most developed in the region. In detail, a recent report by market research company Mordor Intelligence indicates strong growth in the Gulf aircraft maintenance market, with forecasts expecting its value to grow from $3.72 billion in 2025 to $7.31 billion by 2030, at a compound annual growth rate of 14.46%, driven by the UAE's pivotal role in this expansion. Advanced Infrastructure The report revealed that Emirati companies lead the regional scene through advanced facilities, highlighting the role of Emirates Engineering, a subsidiary of Emirates Airline, which manages 12 maintenance hangars and supports a fleet of 255 aircraft, in addition to providing its services to more than 30 global airlines through external maintenance contracts. The report also highlighted Etihad Engineering, a subsidiary of Etihad Airways, as another major center in the country, through its modern facilities and advanced capabilities that include airframe, engine, and component maintenance, as well as adopting advanced manufacturing technologies like 3D printing and digital maintenance, and developing additive manufacturing technologies, including establishing the first EASA-certified design and production facility in the region. Regional Partnership Hub According to Mordor, the UAE is seeing an expansion in partnerships between local maintenance service providers and global companies, with the most prominent being the collaboration between Sond Aerospace and Emirates Engineering to enhance knowledge transfer and develop technical capabilities.
