It was a very good week for Boeing as two major Middle Eastern carriers, Emirates and flydubai, placed orders worth a staggering $63 billion on the opening day of the 2023 Dubai Airshow.
The deals solidify the post-pandemic success that Boeing continues to enjoy. After years of trouble, it appears the American OEM may finally be on a winning trajectory.
The World’s Largest Widebody Operator Will Get Even Bigger
Emirates, already holding the title of the world’s largest widebody aircraft operator, reinforced its dominance with a massive $52 billion order. The airline’s commitment comprises a firm order for 95 aircraft, featuring 55 777-9s and 35 777-8s, bringing the total count of 777s on order to an impressive 205. Additionally, Emirates upgraded its existing order for 30 Boeing 787-9s, increasing the Dreamliner commitment to 35, including 15 787-10s and 20 787-8s.
Emirates also signed an agreement for 202 GE9X engines to power the newly ordered 777s, bringing their total GE9X order to 460 units.
The first 777-9 is due to join the Emirates fleet in 2025, with continuous additions until at least 2035. Notably, Emirates will be one of the launch customers for the 777-8, with deliveries slated to begin in 2030.
Emirates’ chairman and chief executive Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum says Monday’s announcement cements his airline’s position as the world’s largest Boeing 777 operator.
“The 777 has been central to Emirates’ fleet and network strategy of connecting cities on all continents non-stop to Dubai,” said Al Maktoum. “We are pleased to extend our relationship with Boeing and look forward to the first 777-9 joining our fleet in 2025.”
Emirates has 295 Aircraft on Order
With 295 aircraft now on order, Emirates continues to position itself as a global aviation leader for decades to come. The carrier boasts an all-widebody fleet of 116 Airbus A380s and 144 Boeing 777s, including 10 Boeing 777-200LRs, 123 777-300ERs, and 11 777 freighters.
Emirates also placed an order for 50 Airbus A350-900s at the 2019 Dubai Airshow. These aircraft are due to enter the fleet sometime in late 2024, although that date keeps getting pushed back.
Emirates flies to 140 cities on six continents and will celebrate its 40th year of operation in 2025.
flydubai Stays Loyal to Boeing with Historic Widebody Order
Flydubai, a Dubai-based budget airline, made history on Monday by placing its first-ever widebody aircraft order. The $11 billion deal includes 30 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, marking a strategic expansion of flydubai’s all-Boeing fleet, which currently includes 30 737-800s, 47 737 MAX 8s, and 30 737 MAX 9s.
“The 787-9 is perfectly suited for the needs of flydubai as it looks to open up new, longer-range routes and add capacity across its network,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO Stan Deal. “We are proud of the confidence that flydubai continues to place in our products with an all-Boeing fleet.”
With deliveries to begin in 2026, the 787-9 Dreamliners will play a central role in flydubai’s strategic expansion plans.
Operating a fleet of 79 aircraft, flydubai’s network spans across three continents, 54 countries, and more than 115 cities. The carrier, which began operations in June 2009, currently has over 130 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft on order, with deliveries scheduled through at least 2035.
Boeing’s Broader Success on Day One of the 2023 Dubai Airshow
While the Emirates and flydubai orders stole the spotlight, Boeing’s success in Dubai didn’t stop there. Other significant orders include:
- SunExpress: The Antalya, Turkey (AYT)-based carrier committed to up to 90 Boeing 737s, including 28 737-8s and 17 737-10s. The deal includes options for up to 45 more 737 MAX aircraft.
- Egyptair: The Cairo, Egypt (CAI)-based carrier signed a contract to lease 18 Boeing 737-800 MAXs.
- Royal Jordanian: The Amman, Jordan (AMM)-based carrier ordered four 787-9 Dreamliners and reconfirmed a previous order of two.
- Royal Air Maroc: The Casablanca, Morocco (CMN)-based carrier ordered two 787-9s.
Boeing may get yet another massive boost at the Dubai Airshow this week. An announcement is reportedly very close for Saudi Arabia’s second official flag carrier, Riyadh Air. While not confirmed, the order is said to be upwards of up to 100 Boeing 737 MAX jets with a similar number of options. If confirmed, the 737s would join the previously announced order of 72 Boeing 787s for the Riyadh-based airline. The carrier, founded in March 2023, has not yet begun revenue operations.
Airbus also received some love on Day 1 of the Dubai Airshow with Riga, Latvia (RIX)-based airBaltic’s order for 30 A220-300s.
As day two kicked off on Tuesday morning, Airbus and Egyptair announced an order for 10 Airbus A350-900s. Later in the day, Ethiopian inked a deal with Boeing for up to 67 jets, including 11 787s and 20 737 MAXs, with options for 36 additional aircraft.
Boeing also received an order for seven 737 MAX 8s for Kazakhstani carrier SCAT Airlines.
Another announcement that could come this week is a potential “mega order deal” between Airbus and Turkish Airlines.
Dubai Airshow 2023: A Global Aviation Extravaganza
The Dubai Airshow, renowned as the world’s largest aviation exhibition and conference, will host over 100,000 visitors from more than 150 countries this year. The program will feature over 1,400 exhibitors from 95 countries and more than 180 aircraft.
The biennial event, now in its 37th year, is a platform for industry leaders to showcase cutting-edge technology and innovations.
The airshow continues through Friday, 17 November.
