Emirates to build purpose-designed Cabin Crew Village housing 12,000 in Dubai
Purpose-built community to feature 20 residential towers and lifestyle amenities
DUBAI – The Emirates Airline has signed an agreement with Dubai Investments Park to secure land for a new purpose-built Cabin Crew Village, marking a major multi-billion-dirham investment in residential infrastructure for its growing workforce.
The development will deliver a modern mixed-use community designed to house up to 12,000 cabin crew members, reinforcing the airline’s long-term operational and expansion plans in Dubai. Groundbreaking is scheduled for the second quarter of 2026, with the first phase of the project expected to be completed in 2029.
The agreement was signed by Ali Mubarak Al Soori, Emirates’ Chief Procurement and Facilities Officer, and Khalid Bin Kalban, Vice Chairman and CEO of Dubai Investments. The signing took place in the presence of Adel Al Redha, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Operating Officer; Abdulaziz Bin Yagub Al Serkal, CEO of Glass LLC at Dubai Investments; and Omar Al Mesmar, General Manager of Dubai Investments Park, alongside senior executives from both organisations. The project will be delivered under a long-term lease arrangement.
Cabin Crew Village
The Cabin Crew Village represents one of Emirates’ most significant investments in staff accommodation to date. Designed as a fully integrated residential and lifestyle destination, the development will consist of 20 contemporary residential buildings, each rising 19 floors. The towers will offer a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, planned specifically around the needs, routines and operational schedules of cabin crew.
The scale of the project reflects Emirates’ continued expansion and its focus on maintaining high living standards for employees as the airline grows its global network. The development is intended to support both current staffing levels and future recruitment, particularly as Emirates advances its long-term transition plans linked to the expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport.
Community focused
At the heart of the Cabin Crew Village will be a central multi-purpose hub designed to support everyday living and wellbeing. Plans include a range of retail outlets, restaurants and food concepts, providing residents with convenient access to dining and essential services within the community.
Health and fitness form a core part of the masterplan, with modern gym facilities, clinics and dedicated wellness spaces integrated across the development. Public spaces and landscaped parks are also central to the design, encouraging social interaction and a strong sense of community among residents.
Each residential building will feature its own dedicated amenities to ensure accessibility and convenience for crew members, reducing the need for travel outside the village for daily requirements. Walking trails, landscaped grounds and open green spaces are woven throughout the site to support an active and balanced lifestyle.
Designed for crew
Emirates said the project has been shaped around the operational realities of cabin crew life, with layouts and facilities aimed at enhancing comfort, rest and connectivity. Ali Mubarak Al Soori said the airline’s cabin crew are central to the customer experience Emirates delivers worldwide, making their wellbeing a strategic priority.
He said the Cabin Crew Village would provide everything crew members need within a single, carefully planned development, combining residential comfort with leisure, retail and communal facilities. The project also reflects Emirates’ broader investment in people and infrastructure as it prepares for future growth and evolving operational demands.
The emphasis on community living is intended to foster stronger social connections among crew members, many of whom come from different countries and cultural backgrounds, while also offering privacy and high-quality living spaces.
Strategic location
The Cabin Crew Village will be located within Dubai Investments Park, positioned equidistant between Dubai International Airport and Dubai World Central at Al Maktoum International Airport. This location supports Emirates’ current operations at Dubai International Airport while aligning with the airline’s long-term plans centred on Al Maktoum International.
The proximity to major transport corridors and aviation hubs is expected to reduce commute times for crew, enhance operational efficiency and provide flexibility as Emirates gradually expands activity at Dubai World Central.
Omar Al Mesmar, General Manager of Dubai Investments Park, said the collaboration reflects the confidence global organisations place in DIP’s infrastructure and regulatory environment. He said the development would further strengthen DIP’s position as a destination for large-scale, future-focused projects and enrich its growing residential and business community.
Expanding ecosystem
Dubai Investments Park spans 23 million square metres and is one of the UAE’s largest fully integrated mixed-use developments, combining industrial, logistics, commercial, residential, retail and hospitality zones. Established in 1999 and developed by Dubai Investments, the park is home to more than 1,200 companies, over 4,000 sub-leases and a resident population exceeding 150,000.
Occupancy at Dubai Investments Park reached 99.9 per cent in 2025, underlining sustained demand for its long-term ground-lease model and integrated infrastructure. The addition of the Emirates Cabin Crew Village is expected to further diversify the community while supporting Dubai’s broader growth as a global aviation and business hub.
Dubai Investments, established in 1995, is a publicly listed multi-asset investment group with interests across real estate, manufacturing, healthcare, education, investments and services. The group has more than 15,000 shareholders, a paid-up capital of Dh4.25 billion and total assets exceeding Dh23 billion, with a strategy focused on sustainable returns, diversification and long-term value creation.