Emirates And Safran Sign MoU To Establish Aircraft Seat Manufacturing Facility In Dubai

Emirates and Safran Seats have agreed to create a manufacturing and seat assembly plant in Dubai. This collaboration, a first of its kind, will initially focus on Business and Economy Class seats for cabin retrofits. The facility aims to expand to line fit in the future, serving both Emirates and other Safran Seats customers.

The new facility will address the rising demand for aircraft seat production by using cutting-edge technology. This strategic move brings Safran Seats' expertise closer to Emirates' operations and other airlines. It also aims to improve efficiency in aircraft seat manufacturing.

H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum stated, "This agreement with Safran marks a pivotal and strategic cooperation that establishes Dubai as an aerospace manufacturing hub. We're bringing world-class seat production capabilities and supply chain to our doorstep, creating highly skilled jobs, and developing capabilities to support Emirates and produce seats for export to other carriers."

The initiative aligns with the D33 economic agenda, enhancing Dubai's role in a strategic industry while diversifying its economy. The UAE has developed a successful aviation sector, now aiming to match it with robust manufacturing capabilities.

Olivier Andriès, CEO of Safran, expressed appreciation for Emirates' trust in this ambitious project. He said, "This initiative not only reinforces our shared commitment to operational excellence but also aligns with our industrial strategy as we adapt and prepare our business to support the current and future worldwide market ramp-up."

Facility Development Timeline

The facility is expected to be completed by Q4 2027, covering 20,000-25,000 square metres. The initial phase will assemble up to 1,000 Business Class seats annually. This development is part of building a larger aerospace manufacturing cluster in Dubai.

Safran has been instrumental in Emirates' fleet refurbishment efforts by providing premium seating for their retrofit programme and new A350 fleet. This partnership strengthens their ongoing collaboration.

This joint venture aims to attract component suppliers, technology firms, and skilled professionals globally. It supports Emirates' retrofit programme while evolving onboard cabin interior requirements.

With inputs from WAM