Abu dhabi: Emirates Engineering has achieved a significant milestone, becoming the first organisation in the UAE to receive Design Organisation Approval (DOA) from the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) for major aircraft modifications, through Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs).
According to Emirates News Agency, the GCAA's direct certification of Emirates Engineering's design work enables the regulator to independently review and process major modifications, marking a milestone for UAE aviation regulation.
Adel Al Redha, Emirates Deputy President and Chief Operating Officer, expressed that this approval fundamentally changes their approach to aircraft modification. In-house design and certification capability gives Emirates direct control over product development, specification definitions, and timelines. The timing aligns with their expansion at Dubai World Central (DWC), where this certification expertise will be integral to engineering operations. He thanked the GCAA for their partnership in developing the regulatory framework that made this milestone possible.
Aqeel Al Zarooni, Assistant Director-General for Aviation Safety Affairs at the GCAA, highlighted that 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 maintenance and engineering service providers to enhance their capabilities.
The approval enhances Emirates Engineering's existing minor modification capabilities to include major cabin reconfigurations and complex design changes, providing greater control over timelines, costs, and innovation priorities. These types of major work have previously been dependent on external original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) or third-party design organisations.
The approval encompasses both Airbus and Boeing aircraft types, providing flexibility across Emirates' entire fleet and potential future applications. Over the past six months, Emirates Engineering has significantly expanded its design organisation by recruiting specialised design engineers and updating processes and procedures to meet the rigorous requirements for major modification approval. The team will grow from five dedicated design personnel to over thirteen specialists, with plans to further expand headcount.
Emirates Engineering now joins a handful of airlines worldwide with in-house major design and certification capabilities, a strategic advantage that reinforces the UAE's growing prominence in global aviation and aerospace. This capability directly supports Emirates' massive fleet refurbishment programme across the airline's Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 fleets.
Beyond the retrofit programme, the expanded design approval opens doors for future innovations in cabin technology and configuration, while supporting Emirates Engineering's future parts and component production and manufacturing ambitions. The design capability enables Emirates to develop intellectual property for components that can then be manufactured locally.
The approval aligns with the development of Emirates' expanded maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities at DWC, where these design capabilities will play an integral role in the airline's long-term engineering and production strategy.