Emirates is constructing a new $353 million engineering centre on a 136-acre site at Dubai International Airport to keep pace with the growth of its fleet, which is expected to more than double from the current 74 aircraft over the next seven years.

When completed, the new centre will be one of the biggest civil aviation maintenance facilities in the world. Its eight hangars will form the largest free-spanned structures in the Middle East, with roofs supported by 110-metre-long single spans.

The new centre will service Emirates' existing fleet as well as the additional 99 aircraft presently on order, including 45 Airbus A380-800 super jumbos, 29 Boeing 777-300ERs and 20 Airbus 340-600s. It will accommodate third-party maintenance.

The centre is scheduled for completion by the beginning of next year, when the airline's fleet is forecast to have increased to more than 80 aircraft.

Emirates flies three times weekly between Dubai and Malta, every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday on Airbus A330-200. Flights from Malta to Dubai fly over Tripoli.

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