Dubai Airshow: GE Aerospace launches $50m Dubai South expansion for engine services
New facility to enhance training, MRO services, and future GE9X support
DUBAI – GE Aerospace announced today at the opening of the Dubai Airshow a major expansion in Dubai South, unveiling plans for a $50 million, state-of-the-art On Wing Support (OWS) facility at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH).
The move is aimed at supporting growing CFM LEAP engine services while preparing for the entry into service of the GE9X engine. The announcement highlights GE Aerospace’s commitment to the region’s aviation ecosystem and a skilled workforce.
The new facility will cover 120,000 square feet, replacing the current 29,000 square-foot location, and will serve as a key hub for field deployments, advanced technology development, and internal and external training. For the first time in OWS history, it will include dedicated MRO training facilities, enabling enhanced team capabilities and supporting customer training needs.
What will the new facility offer?
Farah Borges, VP Assembly, Test & MRO for GE Aerospace, explained, “This investment underscores GE Aerospace’s unwavering commitment to supporting our customers in the Middle East and beyond. As demand for LEAP engine services grows, this facility will allow us to deliver world-class maintenance, repair, and overhaul capabilities on a larger scale. It will also position us to support the future entry into service of the GE9X engine.”
The OWS organisation, which performs around 35% of all LEAP engine overhaul shop visits globally, is central to GE Aerospace’s distributed network. The new Dubai site will scale overhaul operations while continuing to provide lighter quick-turn, lease pool, and field services for all GE Aerospace, CFM International, and Engine Alliance engines.
Why Dubai South?
The choice of Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub in Dubai South reflects the UAE’s strategic role in global aviation. Dubai South is set to host Al Maktoum International, planned as the world’s largest airport. The hub benefits from its strategic location at a crossroads of air, maritime, and ground trade, offering an integrated ecosystem focused on connectivity.
Tahnoon Saif, CEO of MBRAH, commented, “We are delighted to welcome GE Aerospace’s new facility, further strengthening Dubai South as a global hub for aviation and aerospace innovation. GE Aerospace’s expansion demonstrates the Middle East’s growing importance in the industry and highlights MBRAH’s role in supporting world-class services.”
When will construction begin?
Leaders from GE Aerospace and MBRAH are set to attend a ground-breaking ceremony this week. Construction is scheduled to start in December 2025, with completion expected in the first quarter of 2027. The facility underscores GE Aerospace’s long-term commitment to the region and the company’s vision to enhance operational excellence, reliability, and technological innovation across its engine portfolio.
CFM International, the 50/50 joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines, will also benefit from the expanded OWS capabilities in Dubai South, further cementing the UAE’s position as a central hub for aerospace maintenance and support.