The industry keeping the UAE’s aircraft in the Air

For passengers, the most visible signs of the UAE’s aviation industry are its expanding airports, global airlines and fleets of wide-body aircraft. Behind every departure, however, is a network of engineers, component suppliers, maintenance specialists and technical-service businesses working to keep aircraft operational.

Aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) has traditionally received less attention than new aircraft orders or airport expansion. Yet delays in aircraft deliveries, pressure on component supplies and rising demand for air travel have made the aftermarket increasingly important. Manufacturers have a combined backlog of more than 18,000 undelivered commercial aircraft, encouraging airlines to keep existing fleets in service for longer and increasing demand for maintenance, replacement parts and technical support.

For the UAE, this shift presents a significant opportunity. The country has the airlines, airports, logistics infrastructure and connectivity required to support a major aerospace-services industry. Emirates, for example, has broken ground on a US$5.1 billion engineering complex at Dubai South, designed to accommodate 28 wide-body aircraft and provide specialised facilities for engines, landing gear and components.

Specialist providers are another important part of this ecosystem. Aerospace Technical Services Co. Ltd. (ATS), led by chief executive Mahdi Al-Tahaineh, supports aircraft owners and operators through component sourcing, technical coordination, repair management and aircraft-on-ground (AOG) response. Its role is to connect operators with the expertise, materials and technical support needed to minimise disruption.

“Airlines need partners who can respond quickly without compromising the standards on which aviation depends,” said Mahdi Al-Tahaineh. “Parts availability, maintenance capacity and documentation have to be managed together. The objective is not simply to find a solution, but to provide one that is reliable, traceable and operationally sound.”

Recent developments at Aerospace Technical Services Co. Ltd. demonstrate its focus on combining commercial growth with regulatory discipline. The company has received Part 145 certification from the Bermuda Civil Aviation Authority, adding to regulatory credentials in the European Union, Guernsey, Turkmenistan and Jordan. It has also signed line-maintenance agreements with Ethiopian Airlines and AJet covering routine and non-routine maintenance, inspections, technical-manual support and communication between ground teams and flight crews.

The UAE is also developing deeper specialist capabilities. Abu Dhabi-based Sanad is expanding its facilities to provide full overhaul and testing capabilities for CFM LEAP engines, building on its established engine-maintenance activities. The investment strengthens the country’s ability to handle increasingly complex engine work locally, rather than relying entirely on overseas maintenance facilities.

Another example is Etihad Engineering, which operates one of the Middle East’s largest commercial aircraft maintenance facilities. Its capabilities span heavy maintenance, modifications, component services and aircraft transitions, further strengthening the UAE’s position across the aftermarket.

The sector ultimately depends on global coordination: a component can be manufactured in one country, repaired in another and installed on an aircraft operating from the Gulf. Managing these relationships requires technical expertise, regulatory knowledge and dependable logistics.

With its location, connectivity and aviation infrastructure, the UAE is well placed to become a regional centre for this activity. As fleets grow and aircraft remain in service longer, the companies maintaining, repairing and supporting them will play an increasingly important role in the future of aviation.