Emirates and Safran Sign MoU to Establish Seat Manufacturing Facility in Dubai
Emirates and Safran Seats have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish an aircraft seat manufacturing and assembly facility in Dubai.
The cooperation will commence with the production of Business Class and Economy Class seats for cabin retrofit projects, with plans to expand to include line-fit manufacturing in the future. The new facility will create additional capacity to support Emirates as well as other Safran Seats customers, while placing Safran’s seat production capabilities closer to Emirates’ operations.
The development aims to address the increasing demand for aircraft seating and introduce further efficiencies through advanced manufacturing technology.
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, said the agreement supports Dubai’s goal of growing its aerospace manufacturing sector. He noted that the partnership will contribute to the creation of skilled jobs, expand local production capabilities, and support Emirates’ cabin retrofit requirements. He added that the initiative aligns with the D33 economic agenda and contributes to diversifying Dubai’s economy.
Olivier Andriès, CEO of Safran, stated that the collaboration strengthens the companies’ longstanding relationship and supports Safran’s industrial strategy as the aviation market continues to expand. He noted that the project reflects joint efforts to develop future aircraft seating solutions.
Safran is already a key partner in Emirates’ fleet refurbishment programme, supplying seats for both retrofit and new aircraft, including the A350 fleet. The upcoming facility marks the initial step toward establishing a broader aerospace manufacturing cluster in Dubai.
The facility is planned for completion by Q4 2027, covering approximately 20,000–25,000 square metres. Production will ramp up in phases, starting with the assembly of up to 1,000 Business Class seats per year.
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