UAE to help set up Int’l airport, MRO and pilot training facilities at Dholera

A Letter of Intent (LoI) was signed between the Government of Gujarat and the UAE Ministry of Investment during the official visit of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to India. The agreement focuses on expanding investment cooperation for large-scale infrastructure projects in Dholera, Gujarat.

According to officials, the proposed collaboration covers development of critical aviation and transport facilities, including an international airport, a pilot training institute, and a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility. These projects are expected to strengthen Dholera’s role within the Dholera Smart City master plan and the Delhi–Mumbai Industrial Corridor.

Phase I of the greenfield Dholera International Airport is currently under construction with an estimated project cost of ₹1,305 crore. The airport is being developed by Dholera International Airport Company Limited, a joint venture involving the Airports Authority of India, the Government of Gujarat, and the National Industrial Corridor Development and Implementation Trust.

Once operational, the airport is planned to handle both passenger and cargo traffic originating from the Dholera Special Investment Region. Authorities expect it to emerge as a major cargo hub supporting industrial growth while also functioning as a secondary airport for Ahmedabad, located approximately 80 kilometres away.

Initial passenger movement is estimated at around three lakh passengers annually, with projections indicating growth to over 23 lakh passengers per year within the next two decades. The aviation infrastructure is expected to significantly boost logistics efficiency and investor confidence in the region.

In addition to aviation projects, the investment plan also includes support for smart urban development, railway connectivity, energy infrastructure, and a proposed greenfield port. These initiatives align with Gujarat’s long-term vision of transforming Dholera into a globally competitive industrial and urban hub.

Separately, Indian officials also noted that the UAE would contribute artistic artefacts to the proposed National Maritime Museum at Lothal, further strengthening cultural and strategic ties between the two regions.