Emirates Engineering First in UAE to Gain Major Design Approval
Emirates Engineering has marked a major breakthrough in the nation’s aviation sector after becoming the first organisation in the United Arab Emirates to receive Design Organisation Approval (DOA) from the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) for major aircraft design modifications through Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs).
The new approval grants Emirates Engineering the authority to independently design, develop, and certify major aircraft modifications, an advancement that significantly expands its in-house engineering capabilities. The milestone also signals the GCAA’s confidence in the organisation’s technical and regulatory readiness, representing a notable development in the UAE’s wider aviation ecosystem.
Adel Al Redha, Emirates Deputy President and Chief Operating Officer, described the certification as transformative. “This approval fundamentally changes our approach to aircraft modification. In-house design and certification capability gives us direct control over our product development and helps us to define our specifications and our timeline,” he said.
He added that the milestone aligns with the airline’s ongoing expansion at Dubai World Central (DWC), where enhanced design expertise will underpin its future engineering operations.
Eng. Aqeel Al Zarooni, Assistant Director General for Aviation Safety Affairs at the GCAA, said the accreditation reflects the progress of the UAE’s aviation regulatory framework.
“This accreditation represents an important advancement in the development of the aircraft design and engineering approval ecosystem in the UAE. It reflects the readiness of the regulatory framework the GCAA is building to empower all maintenance and engineering service providers to enhance their capabilities,” he said.
He added that granting Emirates Engineering DOA status supports the creation of local design solutions that meet global standards, strengthening the national aviation sector’s competitiveness.
The certification elevates Emirates Engineering from handling minor modifications to undertaking major cabin reconfigurations and complex structural changes across both Airbus and Boeing aircraft types. These high-level design tasks were previously dependent on original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) or external design firms.
To meet the rigorous requirements for major modification approvals, Emirates Engineering has expanded its design team and modernised its internal processes. The design organisation will grow from five specialists to over thirteen, with further expansion planned.
With this approval, Emirates Engineering becomes one of only a few airlines worldwide with the capability to design and certify major aircraft modifications in house. This positions the UAE as a rising force in global aviation innovation and engineering.
The enhanced certification will play a key role in Emirates’ extensive fleet refurbishment programme for its Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft. Greater design autonomy is expected to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and accelerate delivery schedules.
Beyond the current retrofit initiatives, the approval creates opportunities for future innovation in cabin layouts, component manufacturing, and new engineering solutions. The capability also supports Emirates’ long-term maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) expansion at DWC, which will rely heavily on in-house design expertise.
