US giant GE Aerospace steps up Dubai, UAE aviation presence with new multi-million-dollar hub

Dubai: GE Aerospace is significantly expanding its operations in the UAE, unveiling plans for a new, state-of-the-art On Wing Support (OWS) facility at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub in Dubai South.

Valued at over $50 million, the investment will quadruple GE’s Dubai footprint to 120,000 square feet, GE said on Sunday, a day ahead of the 2025 edition of the Dubai Airshow.

Farah Borges, Vice President, Assembly, Test & MRO for GE Aerospace, said, “As demand for LEAP engine services continues to grow, this new facility will enable us to deliver world-class maintenance, repair, and overhaul capabilities on a larger scale, while positioning us to support the future entry into service of the GE9X engine.”

The purpose-built facility will support the expanding CFM LEAP fleet and the future GE9X, provide advanced technology development, and introduce the first dedicated MRO training space in GE’s OWS history.

The CFM LEAP engine is a highly efficient, high-bypass turbofan produced by CFM International, a 50-50 joint venture between US’s GE Aerospace and France’s Safran Aircraft Engines.

LEAP engines are used on today’s leading narrowbody aircraft, including the Airbus A320neo family, the Boeing 737 MAX, and the COMAC C919.

Meanwhile, the GE9X is GE Aerospace’s latest generation engine, developed exclusively for the new long-haul Boeing 777X widebody aircraft. It is the most powerful commercial jet engine ever built and promises at least 10 per cent better fuel efficiency than its predecessor, the GE90-115B.

Dubai’s flag carrier Emirates, which uses GE engines for its Boeing 777 fleet, also has ongoing multi-million-dollar services agreements with the company. Emirates also works with GE on support solutions and innovation for its massive widebody operations. GE provides maintenance, overhaul, and technology solutions to other UAE carriers and supports a large Middle Eastern aftermarket and parts ecosystem as well.

Plans for expansion

With over 35 per cent of all LEAP overhaul visits currently handled by GE’s distributed network, the Dubai expansion will help scale operations for lighter quick turn, lease pool, and field services across GE, CFM International, and Engine Alliance engines.

Tahnoon Saif, CEO, Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub, said, “GE Aerospace’s expansion is a testament to the strategic importance of the Middle East region and the confidence in MBRAH as a key enabler for the future of aviation.”

Construction will begin in December 2025, targeting completion in the first quarter of 2027. The Dubai South location, home to the future Al Maktoum International Airport, strengthens the city’s position as a global aviation hub connecting air, maritime, and land trade.

CFM RISE open fan tech makes Middle East debut

GE Aerospace also revealed that the CFM RISE programme’s breakthrough Open Fan engine design is making its Middle East debut at the Dubai Airshow. The tech, initially unveiled in 2021, aims to deliver over 20 per cent better fuel efficiency compared to current commercial engines.

It is being actively promoted as a promising option for UAE and other Middle East carriers because the region’s desert climate exposes aircraft to frequent airborne sand and dust, especially during takeoff, landing, and holding patterns near the airports.

“With over 2,000 engineers and 350 tests completed, our Open Fan platform is advancing the future of flight,” said a GE spokesperson, adding,

“Dust ingestion tests—involving a special mix of sand and particles—demonstrate real-world endurance suited for the Middle East’s challenging conditions.”