Low-cost carrier flydubai has unveiled plans for its first purpose-built Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Dubai South at the Dubai Airshow.
Construction of the new hangar will start next year, and the facility will be built in 2026. This announcement reflects the airline’s long-term commitment to enhancing its in-house capabilities and supporting its growing fleet.
In 2022, it received its CAR-145 Base Maintenance Approval from the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). This enabled the airline to perform C-Checks and Entry-into-Service for its Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
Currently, the carrier has a team of 455 engineers working to ensure the airworthiness and safety of the fleet. More than 230 engineers will join flydubai’s fleet in the next 12 months.
This recruitment drive will ensure the airline is well-positioned for the opening of the MRO facility in 2026.
Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said: “Dubai has emerged as a thriving aviation hub that fosters connectivity, innovation, growth and setting benchmarks for the global aviation industry. The spirit of Dubai is in our DNA, and we are proud to announce today the plans for our MRO facility, which represents a new chapter in our journey.”
flydubai’s fleet expansion
flydubai currently operates a young fleet of 80 Boeing 737 aircraft, with an order backlog of 137 737s. At the Dubai Airshow, the low-cost carrier placed its first-ever widebody order to purchase 30 787-9 Dreamliners to diversify its fleet.
It will use these widebody aircraft to open new routes and grow capacity on its existing services. The airline will take delivery of more than 150 additional aircraft by 2030.
