Airbus eyes UAE for A400M aircraft component manufacturing and aviation hub development

Airbus is exploring opportunities to manufacture key A400M aircraft components in the United Arab Emirates, strengthening the country’s role in the global aerospace industry.

Speaking to Emirates News Agency (WAM), Gabriel Sémelas, President of Airbus in Africa and the Middle East, highlighted that this initiative would deepen the integration of UAE-based entities such as EPI and Strata into Airbus’s global supply chain.

As part of its expansion, Airbus plans to establish comprehensive maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities for the A400M military transport aircraft, along with a dedicated training centre. These developments will further position the UAE as a key regional hub for aviation excellence.

Sémelas emphasized Airbus’s commitment to developing local talent, with targeted training programs, technical assistance, and research partnerships designed to drive innovation and support the UAE’s future industries.

Job creation and skills development remain central to Airbus’s localisation strategy. The company aims to implement specialised training and technical support initiatives while fostering industrial collaborations that equip the UAE workforce with advanced aerospace expertise.