His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and CEO of Emirates Airline and Group, officially opened the largest ever edition of the Middle East Aircraft Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) Exhibition and the Middle East Aircraft Interior Design Exhibition for 2026. This event stands as the leading regional platform for the aviation industry’s aftermarket services. On this occasion, he emphasized Dubai’s growing status as a global hub in the aviation sector.
In a post on his ‘X’ account yesterday, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum stated: “Today marks the launch of the Middle East Aircraft Maintenance and Aircraft Interior Design exhibitions for 2026, which are critical platforms shaping the future of the aviation and space sectors both regionally and globally.”
With participation from over 250 international exhibitors and extensive global attendance, these events highlight the sector’s commitment to enhancing resilience, supporting sustainability, and enabling long-term growth, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a leading global center for aviation and advanced engineering.
The two-day event is taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre, bringing together global supply chains in the aviation sector amidst a rising regional demand for aircraft maintenance, repair, overhaul services, and cabin design solutions, reflecting the rapid growth of the sector in the region.
Throughout the exhibition, prominent leaders and industry experts will participate in panel discussions focused on the key topics in the aftermarket sector.
Panel Discussions
During a session titled “Strategic Infrastructure Developments: The Aircraft Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul Landscape in the Middle East,” Fraser Corey, CEO of Strategy and Commercial Affairs at Dubai Aerospace Enterprise, remarked:
“The unprecedented growth seen in Dubai and the region signifies an attractive environment for talent and investments, underpinned by the UAE’s strong commitment to infrastructure investment and opportunity attraction.”
He added, “The aviation sector is experiencing notable expansion, with Airbus establishing new facilities at Al Maktoum International Airport, FlyDubai developing its own facility, and Emirates’ hangars planning to relocate to Al Maktoum by 2030.”
He confirmed that the region provides a supportive and stimulating atmosphere for work, helping attract talent, which greatly contributes to this swift growth, along with accessibility to some of the fastest-growing global markets.
On the first day, there was a panel featuring Stephen Greenway, CEO of flyadeal, who discussed the airline’s expansion plans and its approach to capitalizing on supply chain opportunities, as well as the rapid advancement of maintenance capabilities in Saudi Arabia as flyadeal continues to grow as one of the fastest-expanding low-cost carriers in the Kingdom.
He mentioned, “Low-cost airlines are now enhancing their operational capabilities in-house, and flyadeal is no exception. Saudi Arabia has invested billions in creating a major maintenance facility in Jeddah, which will bring about a significant transformation in the landscape over the next two years.”
“We are currently executing in-house engine changes, practices that low-cost airlines did not previously adopt 10 or 15 years ago. Furthermore, all our major contracts with suppliers include local content, in both maintenance activities within the Kingdom and spare parts manufacturing. While these operations are still in their early stages, they are expected to grow in the coming years.”
The seventeenth edition of the event is witnessing a record number of exhibitors, with the exhibition expanding to include an additional exhibition hall for the first time, attracting over 300 exhibitors and nearly 9,000 visitors.
Participants are showcasing the latest innovations in aircraft cabin designs, AI-supported maintenance tools, supply chain solutions, ground support equipment, and safety technologies, further solidifying the region’s position as a global center for aviation services, innovation, and investment.