Emirates is equipping a fifth hangar at its maintenance base in Dubai with a fixed docking system for different aircraft types, including the Airbus A380.

The carrier inked a contract with Ajman, UAE-based Excel and Germany's Gunzburger Steigtechnik to manufacture the structure jointly.

Excel will supply fuselage, tail and infill docks made from steel, while Gunzburger will develop aluminium modules to work on the wings and engines.

The deal is worth Dh28 million ($7.62 million) in total.

Four out of Emirates's seven maintenance hangars are presently equipped with docking systems. But the airline says it needs additional heavy maintenance capacity.

The carrier is also building four additional hangars, which are due to be completed in 2014.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news