Emirates and Safran Seats have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to build a dedicated facility for the manufacturing and assembly of aircraft seats in Dubai. This project represents an unprecedented industrial advancement for the region, initially focusing on the production of Business and Economy Class seats for cabin retrofit projects.

The new plant, projected for completion in the fourth quarter of 2027, will cover an industrial footprint of approximately 20,000 to 25,000 square meters. According to information provided by Emirates, the installed capacity will serve both the airline and other Safran customers.

Future plans include expanding into line fit equipment for new aircraft, although the initial phase will address the demand for retrofitting. The goal is to bring Safran's technical expertise closer to Emirates' operations, optimizing the supply chain and reducing logistical lead times.

Industrial Development and D33 Agenda

The agreement seeks to transcend the standard client-supplier relationship to integrate Dubai into the aerospace manufacturing value chain. "This agreement with Safran marks a pivotal and strategic cooperation that establishes Dubai as an aerospace manufacturing hub," said His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group.

The executive highlighted that they are "bringing world-class seat production capabilities and supply chain" to their doorstep, creating highly skilled jobs. "The partnership will directly support our retrofit programme and the evolution of our onboard cabin interior requirements," added Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum.

This initiative aligns with the D33 economic agenda, designed to strengthen Dubai's position in strategic industries. "Our goal is to further develop aerospace manufacturing to attract component suppliers, technology companies, and talented, skilled professionals from around the world," the Chairman concluded.

Capacity and Projection

Olivier Andriès, CEO of Safran, stated that they "deeply value" their enduring partnership with Emirates and appreciate the confidence placed in this project. "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," the executive noted.

Andriès finished by remarking that they keep "shaping the future of the aviation industry with innovation and resilience for the next generation of aircraft seating."

The facility's ramp-up will be phased. The initial stage targets the assembly of up to 1,000 Business Class seats per year. Safran has been a key partner in Emirates' fleet refurbishment efforts, supplying seats for its retrofit program and its new Airbus A350 fleet.