Emirates Airlines has agreed with the Dubai Investments Park (DIP) to acquire land for a new purpose-built Cabin Crew Village, amounting to a multi-billion-dirham investment in an effort to sustain the long-term growth of the airline and its workforce.
The mixed-use residential development will accommodate up to 12,000 cabin crew members and is expected to be delivered through a long-term lease arrangement. It will commence groundbreaking in Q2 2026, and the first phase will be completed by 2029.
The Chief Procurement and Facilities Officer of Emirates, Ali Mubarak Al Soori, and Khalid bin Kalban, the Vice Chairman and CEO of Dubai Investments, signed the agreement in the presence of Adel Al Redha, the deputy president and chief operating officer of Emirates, Abdulaziz Bin Yagub Al Serkal, the CEO of Glass LLC, Dubai Investments and Omar Al Mesmar, the general manager of Dubai Investments Park, as well as top management of both organizations.
The Cabin Crew Village will be 20 modern residential buildings consisting of 19 stories with one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, which are tailored to the comfort of the crew, their convenience, and lifestyle.
Emirates’ Chief Procurement & Facilities Officer, Ali Mubarak Al Soori, said, “Our cabin crew are central to the experience Emirates delivers to customers. This investment is part of our broader commitment to supporting their wellbeing by offering living spaces designed around their needs and lifestyles. The Cabin Crew Village will provide everything our crew need within a single, thoughtfully planned development, with convenient access to everyday essentials, leisure facilities, and communal spaces that foster a strong sense of community. The Cabin Crew Village also represents a strategic investment in Emirates’ future, supporting our transition plans to Al Maktoum International and continued growth in the years ahead.”
The development will also include a central multi-purpose hub with retail, food and restaurant outlets, fitness amenities, clinics, public space and landscaped parks as part of the development, creating a full lifestyle destination.
The community will be advised to adopt a healthy lifestyle by engaging in sports activities outside the house, and this will be enabled by the walking trails, resort swimming pools, the green space, and landscaped grounds incorporated within the entire community.
However, there will also be specific on-site amenities that will be developed at each residential building to increase convenience and accessibility.
The Cabin Crew Village is strategically located between Dubai International Airport and Dubai World Central to help Emirates achieve its long-term operational plan, such as the planned move to Al Maktoum International Airport.
Omar Al Mesmar, general manager of Dubai Investments Park, added, “Dubai Investments Park has evolved into a destination where global enterprises can bring ambitious projects to life within a fully integrated and future-ready environment. DIP’s collaboration with Emirates reflects the confidence that leading organisations place in its infrastructure and regulatory ecosystem and further reinforces its position as a hub for visionary investment. This development will enrich DIP’s dynamic community, supporting Dubai’s continued rise as a global centre for business and opportunity. DIP remains committed to enabling partnerships that create meaningful, long-term value for the emirate.”
The project also helps consolidate Dubai as a global business and aviation hub, as well as highlighting the fact that Emirates continues to invest in people, infrastructure, and long-term operational stability.
