CONTENTS The next phase of UAE MRO The UAE’s MRO sector is approaching a stage where future growth will rely on better integration of the strengths already in place. The country benefi ts from strong airline demand, established maintenance providers, OEM partnerships, specialist engineering expertise, robust logistics infrastructure and a growing technical workforce. This foundation is becoming more important as the aftermarket grows. According to Oliver Wyman’s published fl eet and MRO forecast, Middle East MRO demand is projected to reach US$27.7 billion by 2036, with engine maintenance accounting for the largest share1. Fleet expansion, limited maintenance capacity and component supply pressures are increasing demand for reliable technical expertise closer to operators. Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates each offer distinct strengths across widebody and narrowbody maintenance, engines, defence, business aviation and technical services. This distribution supports a multi-node MRO model, allowing providers to maintain their commercial independence while contributing to a broader UAE offering. The next phase will depend on how effectively demand, investment, and technical expertise are aligned. Sustained workload can justify investment in specialist tooling, approvals and training. OEM partnerships can expand repair scope and deepen technical knowledge. Reliable records, predictable approvals and improved visibility of available capacity can also make it easier for different providers to contribute to the same maintenance cycle. Long-term maintenance commitments are providing greater visibility over future workloads. OEM partnerships are supporting the development of new engine and nacelle services in Abu Dhabi, while specialist providers in Dubai are broadening the range of maintenance activities that can remain within the local network. This white paper explores how these existing strengths can develop within a more connected UAE MRO ecosystem, supporting deeper technical expertise, higher utilisation and a broader commercial base for providers across the country. The UAE has already achieved the scale required to support a signifi cant MRO industry. The opportunity now is to translate that scale into greater technical depth, stronger commercial outcomes and an increasingly competitive position in the international aftermarket. EDITOR’S LETTER Words by The Aviation Business Team The UAE already has the scale, demand and technical strength to support a signifi cant MRO industry. The opportunity now is to connect those strengths more effectively and deepen the value retained within the country. 4: Executive Summary 6: Section 1 - Why MRO Is a Strategic Priority 1.1 Why MRO creates strategic value 1.2 Why MRO demand is shifting toward the Middle East 1.3 The UAE advantage 9: Section 2 - The UAE MRO Baseline 2.1 Mapping the UAE’s current MRO landscape 2.2 Airlines as demand anchors 2.3 Lessors, OEMs and enabling partners 2.4 Workforce, education and skills 2.5 Technical depth and remaining gaps 12: Section 3 - Where Strategic Alignment Can Create More Value 3.1 Connecting airline demand with MRO capacity 3.2 Connecting technical expertise with logistics infrastructure 3.3 Turning OEM partnerships into domestic expertise 3.4. Extending the UAE’s MRO expertise through defence sustainment 3.5 From individual strengths to a national proposition 19: Section 4 - Enablers of Strategic Alignment 4.1 Regulation and approvals 4.2 Digital interoperability and technical records 4.3 Workforce coordination 4.4 Infrastructure and supply-chain connectivity 4.5 Commercial and investment conditions 24: Section 5 - Lessons from Global MRO Systems 5.1 Singapore: Coordinating the aerospace cluster 5.2 Türkiye: Leveraging airline demand to achieve scale 5.3 Europe: Connecting distributed expertise and aircraft lifecycle 5.4 Saudi Arabia: Aligning MRO with aviation growth 5.5 Lessons for the UAE 28: Section 6 - What Greater Alignment Could Deliver 6.1 The UAE 2035 scenarios 6.2 Economic and industrial impact 6.3 Workforce and national expertise 30: Section 7 - Strategic Recommendations 7.1 Recommendation 1: Evaluate a National Aviation Aftermar- ket Incubation Programme 7.2 Recommendation 2: Prioritise investment against identifiable demand 7.3 Recommendation 3: Integrate interoperability into the operating infrastructure 7.4. Recommendation 4: Build technical capability around career progression and knowledge retention 7.5 Recommendation 5: Strengthen the UAE MRO proposition as an export platform 32: Section 8 – Roadmap for Growth and Strategic Alignment 8.1 Short term: 0–3 years 8.2 Medium term: 3–7 years 8.3 Long-term outlook: 7–15 years 8.4 What success looks like 34: The Last Word 1. Oliver Wyman, Global Fleet and MRO Market Forecast 2026 to 2036, 2026. https://www.oliverwyman.com/our-expertise/insights/2026/feb/global-fl eet-and-mro-market- forecast-2026-2036.html04EXECUTIVE SUMMARY How the UAE can turn its established MRO strengths into a globally competitive aviation aftermarket Building on strength he UAE’s aviation sector has been defi ned by scale. Its airlines have transformed long-haul travel, its aircraft orders and expansion plans rank among the largest in the industry, and its airports and logistics infrastructure connect passengers, cargo and capital across global markets. As the sector matures, a new question arises: how much of the maintenance, repair and overhaul required throughout the lifecycle of an aircraft can the UAE support domestically? The UAE has already developed a strong MRO base, supported by leading airlines, specialist providers, aerospace clusters, OEM partnerships, technical institutions and logistics infrastructure. Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates contribute different strengths across commercial maintenance, engine and component services, defence sustainment, leasing and technical support. This positions the UAE strongly within the global aviation aftermarket, with greater visibility and connectivity across the ecosystem offering an opportunity to increase the value of these existing strengths while preserving commercial independence and specialisation. A market opportunity The scale of UAE aviation and sustained growth in global MRO demand support the case for further development. In 2025, Dubai International Airport handled 95.2 million passengers, while Abu Dhabi Airports managed more than 33 million2,3. According to Oliver Wyman’s published fl eet and MRO forecast, Middle East MRO demand is projected to rise from US$18.6 billion in 2026 to US$27.7 billion in 20361. Engine maintenance represents the largest segment of this market and contributes signifi cantly to its overall growth. Delivery delays, ageing fl eets and limited maintenance capacity are also placing greater pressure on the aftermarket. The UAE’s airline base provides substantial recurring demand. Emirates operates one of the world’s largest fl eets, fl ydubai maintains 97 Boeing 737 aircraft, Etihad Airways has expanded its fl eet to 128 aircraft, and Air Arabia is growing its narrowbody operations through an order for 120 Airbus A320-family aircraft5,6,7,9. In the leasing sector, Dubai Aerospace 2. Dubai Airports, DXB Sets Global Benchmark as Record Traffi c Becomes the Norm, 2026. https://media.dubaiairports.ae/dxb-sets- global-benchmark-as-record-traffi c-become-the-norm/ 3. Abu Dhabi Airports, Abu Dhabi Airports Closes 2025 with Record Traffi c, 2026. https://www.adairports.ae/en/pressrelease/2026/01/abu-dhabi- airports-closes-2025-with-record-traffi c-as--zayed-international- emerges-as-emea 5. Emirates, Media Centre fl eet and order information. https://www.emirates.com/media-centre/ 6. fl ydubai, Our Fleet. https://www.fl ydubai.com/en/help/our-fl eet 7. Etihad Airways, Record Passenger Numbers and Growth in 2025, 2026. https://www. etihad.com/en/news/etihad-airways-delivers-record-passenger- numbers-and-growth-in-2025 9. Airbus, Air Arabia Orders 120 Airbus A320neo Family Aircraft Including XLRs, 2019. https://www.airbus.com/ en/newsroom/press-releases/2019-11-air-arabia-orders-120-airbus- a320neo-family-aircraft-including-xlrs05EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Enterprise manages a US$25 billion portfolio10 serving more than 150 airlines, while continued investment in Dubai South and Abu Dhabi is expanding heavy maintenance, engine and defence-related activity11,12,14,17,18. Etihad Engineering, Sanad, Emirates Engine Maintenance Centre, the GE Aerospace On Wing Support Center and AMMROC, among others, add established airframe, engine and component expertise to the market12,13,16,18,33. Where greater value can be retained Additional value can be generated in areas characterised by high technical barriers and constrained global capacity. Engine maintenance, piece-part repair and component services require specialised facilities, certifi ed expertise and OEM-approved processes. Expanding selected repair and testing work scopes could allow a greater share of this activity to be completed within the UAE. Modifi cation engineering and aircraft transition services represent further opportunities, particularly in cabin upgrades, confi guration changes and redelivery processes. A collaborative model could allow individual aviation centres and providers to deepen their areas of specialisation while contributing to a broader UAE proposition. This does not require common ownership or a single operating structure. Instead, the opportunity lies in making it easier to identify where approved expertise, available capacity and customer requirements can connect across the market. Building on current progress This paper identifi es fi ve priorities for the next stage of UAE MRO development: evaluating the case for a national aviation aftermarket incubation programme; directing investment towards areas supported by identifi able demand; improving regulatory and digital interoperability; developing technical careers focused on specialist expertise and knowledge retention; and strengthening the UAE’s MRO proposition for regional and international customers. A national aviation aftermarket incubation programme could provide greater visibility of existing strengths, approved work scopes and planned development using publicly available, non-commercially sensitive information. This could help identify technical gaps, areas where further investment may be justifi ed and opportunities where complementary services already exist, while maintaining commercial independence among providers. Standardised approaches to technical records, parts traceability and approval processes could also make it easier for work to move between authorised organisations. Workforce development should progress alongside investment, with greater emphasis. Engine maintenance is a key growth area as the UAE looks to retain more aviation expertise and aftermarket value domestically. 10. Dubai Aerospace Enterprise, DAE Capital. https://dubaiaerospace. com/dae-capital/ 11. Emirates, US$5.1 Billion Engineering Complex at Dubai South, 2024. https://www.emirates.com/media-centre/ emirates-breaks-ground-on-us-51-billion-ultra-modern-engineering- facility-at-dubai-south/ 12. Emirates, GE90 and GP7200 Piece-Part Repair Capability and US$300 Million Engine Maintenance Investment, 2025. https://www.emirates.com/media-centre/emirates-taps-ge- aerospace-for-expertise-to-advance-piece-part-repair-capabilities- for-engine-maintenance/ 13. GE Aerospace, Investment in Middle East On Wing Support Facilities, 2025. https://www.geaerospace.com/ news/press-releases/delivering-airlines-ge-aerospace-invests-10- million-mro-facilities-middle-east 14. ADQ, Aviation MRO Consolidation, 2022. https://www.adq.ae/newsroom/adq-offers-to-combine-its- shareholdings-in-ammroc-etihad-engineering-and-gal-into-abu- dhabi-aviation-to-create-a-global-aviation-mro-and-services- -champion 15. Abu Dhabi Aviation, ADQ Aviation and ADA Forge a New Era in Aviation, 2024. https://ada.ae/adq-aviation-and-ada-forge-a- new-era-in-aviation-positioning-abu-dhabi-as-a-world-leading- mro-hub/ 16. Etihad Engineering, About Us and Aircraft Capability. https://www.etihadengineering.com/about-us/ 17. GE Aerospace, Sanad Aerotech Becomes Maintenance Centre for LEAP Engines, 2021. https:// www.geaerospace.com/news/press-releases/commercial-engines/ sanad-aerotech-becomes-maintenance-center-leap-engines 18. Sanad, GE Aerospace and Safran Expand Partnership to Launch Full LEAP Overhaul and Test Capabilities in Abu Dhabi, 2025. https:// bit.ly/4yJAEKw 33. UAE Government, Emiratis in the Private Sector. https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/jobs/employment-in-the- private-sector/emiratis-employment-in-private-sector06SECTION 1 Section 1 Why MRO is a strategic priority he scale of the UAE’s aviation sector creates strong and sustained demand for maintenance. In 2025, Dubai International Airport handled 95.2 million passengers, while the Abu Dhabi Airports network managed more than 33 million2,3. The planned US$35 billion expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport, designed to handle up to 260 million passengers, is expected to add further demand in an already intensive operating environment4. Fleet expansion is also increasing maintenance requirements across multiple segments. Emirates’ widebody fl eet and order backlog are driving demand for heavy maintenance, engine services and cabin modifi cations. fl ydubai operates 97 Passenger traffic in millions Boeing 737 aircraft, while Etihad Airways has expanded its fl eet to 128 aircraft. Air Arabia began 2026 with 83 A320-family aircraft and an order for 120 A320neo- family aircraft, increasing requirements for narrowbody line maintenance, component support and base checks5,6,7,8,9. The UAE maintenance market is therefore supported by both operational scale and fl eet diversity. Widebody operations require advanced engine and heavy maintenance services, while high-frequency narrowbody fl eets depend on rapid technical support and consistent component availability. As these fl eets continue to expand, so too will the requirement for reliable maintenance capacity within the UAE. 1.1. Why MRO creates strategic value Global MRO demand is rising as airlines keep aircraft in service for longer and capacity remains constrained in engine and component maintenance. According to Oliver Wyman’s published fl eet and MRO forecast, global MRO demand reached US$136 billion in 2025, up 8% from US$126 billion in 2024, and is projected to approach US$193 billion by the end of the decade1. Higher aircraft utilisation, ageing fl eets and delivery delays are increasing maintenance requirements, while constrained engine shop Passenger growth reinforces sustained demand across the UAE aviation ecosystem. 4. AP, Al Maktoum International Airport Expansion, 2024. https:// apnews.com/article/e1fb169cc217c5d388d5b6fe8bbfa40c 8. Air Arabia, Our Fleet. https://www.airarabia.com/en/about-us/Our-Fleet07AVIATION BUSINESS Global MRO Demand capacity and component supply continue to affect turnaround times1,28. Engine and component maintenance creates signifi cant value because it depends on specialised facilities, approved repair processes, testing infrastructure and platform-specifi c expertise. Developing these services also supports adjacent industries involved in tooling, inspection, precision repair, logistics and digital maintenance. Greater access to local repair and parts support can reduce aircraft downtime, lower inventory requirements and lessen reliance on international repair queues. MRO also creates value throughout the aircraft lifecycle. Maintenance quality, comprehensive technical records, component traceability and adherence to redelivery standards can infl uence aircraft transitions and asset valuations. Dubai Aerospace Enterprise, for example, manages a US$25 billion portfolio serving more than 150 airlines, linking the UAE’s MRO base with leasing and aircraft lifecycle management10. The sector also builds technical knowledge through ongoing maintenance and engineering activity. Licensed engineers, engine technicians, reliability specialists and inspectors develop experience that supports more advanced repair, modifi cation and design work. Approvals for repair engineering and modifi cations can also create technical expertise and intellectual property that can be applied to future programmes and international markets. Workforce availability will be critical to this development. Boeing’s 2025 Pilot and Technician Outlook projects that commercial aviation will require 710,000 new maintenance technicians over the next two decades. For the UAE, access to certifi ed personnel and the retention of specialist expertise will be essential as the sector moves into more advanced areas of MRO. 1.2. Why MRO demand is shifting toward the Middle East The Middle East is well positioned to capture a greater share of global MRO activity as fl eet expansion increases maintenance demand across the region. Its signifi cant concentration of widebody aircraft creates substantial requirements for heavy maintenance, engine shop visits and cabin modifi cations. At the same time, the growth of low-cost and regional carriers is increasing demand for narrowbody maintenance, rapid line support and component availability. The region’s position between Europe, Asia and Africa also allows maintenance activity to align with established aircraft and network fl ows. Strong airport infrastructure and advanced logistics networks support the effi cient movement of aircraft, parts and technical personnel, helping to Global MRO demand continues rising as fleets age and expand. “ The UAE’s scale, fl eet diversity and technical expertise create a strong foundation for capturing more high-value MRO activity” 28. IATA, Four Priorities to Strengthen the Aviation Supply Chain, 2026. https://www.iata.org/en/pressroom/2026-releases/06-24-iata- outlines-four-priorities-to-strengthen-aviation-supply-chain/08SECTION 1 reduce repositioning time and improve access to maintenance services. Regional governments are investing in aerospace localisation, maintenance infrastructure and workforce development, expanding the depth of MRO services available across the Middle East. These investments allow a greater proportion of aftermarket activity to be managed closer to the fl eets generating the demand. For the UAE, these regional dynamics strengthen the commercial value of the substantial maintenance demand and technical expertise already concentrated within the country. 1.3. The UAE advantage The UAE combines established MRO expertise with advanced logistics infrastructure, substantial capital resources and a strong regulatory environment. Free zones and aerospace clusters support the movement of aircraft, components and technical services, while existing investment frameworks have attracted OEMs, specialist providers and international partners. These strengths are distributed across several aviation centres with distinct areas of specialisation. Dubai combines widebody operations, airline engineering and logistics. Abu Dhabi has developed heavy maintenance, engine and defence- related expertise. Sharjah supports narrowbody and regional operations, while the Northern Emirates contribute business aviation and specialist technical services. Existing engineering facilities and hangar investment provide a strong physical foundation for continued growth. MRO also supports the UAE’s broader industrial objectives. In-country value programmes encourage local supplier participation, while Emiratisation and Nafi s support national employment and skills development32,33. These initiatives can contribute to further growth in engines, components, specialist repair and aircraft transition services, helping retain a greater share of aviation activity within the country. Regulatory credibility further strengthens the sector’s commercial position. The UAE’s National Aviation Safety Plan reports an ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme effective implementation score of 98.86%23,24, reinforcing international confi dence in the country’s safety oversight. The presence of lessors, fi nanciers, logistics The UAE MRO Opportunity Scale, Demand and Capabilities providers, OEM representatives and training institutions extends the MRO ecosystem into aircraft ownership, lifecycle management, technical development and workforce supply. Greater visibility of existing strengths and future requirements could allow individual aviation centres and providers to specialise further while preserving commercial independence. It could also help guide future investment towards areas that complement the existing base and support a greater share of high-value maintenance, engineering and lifecycle activity within the UAE. The starting point is to understand what the UAE can already do, where that expertise sits and where the strongest opportunities for further development remain. 23. GCAA, National Aviation Safety Plan 2024 to 2026. https://bit. ly/47g7Ayp 24. ICAO, Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme Results. https://www.icao.int/usoap/safety-audit-results-usoap- interactive-viewer 32. UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, National In-Country Value Programme. https://moiat.gov. ae/en/programs/icv09SECTION 2 Section 2 The UAE MRO Baseline he UAE has developed an extensive MRO base spanning airframe, engine, component and line maintenance. Airline engineering, independent service providers, OEM partnerships, defence aerospace, logistics and technical training all support these activities. These strengths are distributed across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates, serving commercial, business and defence aviation. According to Oliver Wyman’s published fl eet and MRO market forecast, Middle East MRO demand is projected to reach US$27.7 billion by 2036, with engine maintenance representing the largest share and the greatest absolute increase over the period1. Component and line maintenance are also expected to grow, while airframe maintenance demand is projected to remain relatively stable. This demand profi le provides the market context for assessing the UAE’s existing engineering and maintenance infrastructure, airline workload, OEM relationships, logistics network and workforce. 2.1. Mapping the UAE’s current MRO landscape Dubai’s MRO base combines airline engineering, widebody maintenance, component support and business aviation within the aerospace cluster at Dubai South and Dubai World Central. Growth in business aviation has added further specialist services to this network. ExecuJet MRO Services provides base maintenance, non-destructive testing, structural repair, wheel services, interior refurbishment and aircraft painting, allowing a broader range of work to be completed within the local market. Abu Dhabi has developed substantial expertise across commercial maintenance, engine and component services and defence sustainment. Etihad Engineering provides airframe, component and engineering services, while AMMROC and GAL contribute defence maintenance and aviation support. Sanad adds engine and component expertise through long-term partnerships with major OEMs14,15,16,17,33. Sharjah’s MRO activity centres on Air Arabia and the emirate’s narrowbody and regional aviation operations, supporting line maintenance, base checks, component services and rapid technical support. The Northern Emirates further broaden the UAE offering through business and general aviation, specialist repair, parts distribution and technical services. Collectively, these centres give the UAE a broad MRO base spanning widebody and narrowbody maintenance, engine and component services, business aviation and defence sustainment. 2.2. Airlines as demand anchors Airline fl eets generate the recurring workload needed to support MRO investment. Alex Henderson, Global On Wing Support Leader at GE Aerospace, identifi es the country’s commercial airlines as the primary source of long-term engine maintenance demand. Existing fl eets, renewal programmes and long-term growth plans provide visibility into future maintenance requirements as operators introduce new aircraft and engine types. For customers, sustained local demand can support greater maintenance availability, shorter turnaround times and 2026 Middle East MRO Demand2036 Middle East MRO DemandNext >