American manufacturer Boeing scored a big first day at the Dubai Airshow with a whopping US$52 billion order from Emirates and additional solid orders from SunExpress and flydubai.
Emirates opened the Dubai Airshow with an order for 95 additional wide-body aircraft, taking its total order book to 295 aircraft. Emirates has committed to additional Boeing 777-9s, 777-8s, and 787s, worth US$52 billion, to power its growth plans.
The orders were signed by Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates airline and Group; with Stan Deal, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes; and Larry Culp, Chairman and CEO for GE, and CEO of GE Aerospace.
Ahmed said: “From day 1, Emirates’ business model has been to operate modern and efficient wide-body aircraft capable of carrying large numbers of travellers comfortably and safely, over long distances to and via Dubai. Today’s aircraft orders reflect that strategy.
Emirates, already the world’s largest operator of Boeing 777 aircraft, has signed firm orders for 55 additional 777-9s and 35 777-8s. This takes the airline’s 777-X order book to a total of 205 units.
Emirates also confirmed an order of 202 GE9X engines to power the additional 777X aircraft ordered today, taking its total GE9X engine order to 460 units.
From its previous order of 115 units, the first 777-9 is expected to join Emirates’ fleet in 2025. Today’s additional orders mean Emirates will induct new 777-9s to its fleet until 2035.
With this latest order, Emirates is also set to be one of the launch customers of the 777-8 passenger variant, with first deliveries expected in 2030.
“This order is an incredible vote of confidence in the efficiency and versatility of the 777X family to meet Emirates’ needs for global long-haul travel,” said Stan Deal, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The 777-9 and 777-8 are the perfect airplanes to support Emirates’ growth plans, improving environmental performance and unmatched payload capability.”
Emirates has also updated its previous order of 30 Boeing 787-9s, increasing its commitment to a total of 35 Dreamliners comprising: 15 Boeing 787-10s, and 20 Boeing 787-8s.
SunExpress and Boeing also announced the airline will buy up to 90 Boeing 737 MAX jets. SunExpress, a joint venture of Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa, said it will more than double its fleet into the next decade. The agreement includes 28 737-8 and 17 737-10 models, with the opportunity for up to 45 additional 737 MAX airplanes.
“Building on the resounding success of our strategy in the post-pandemic period, SunExpress is now poised for next-level growth to meet market demand and achieve a greater international footprint,” said Max Kownatzki, SunExpress CEO. “Over the next decade, we will more than double our fleet, reaching a 150-aircraft fleet by 2033. Also, the addition of the 737-10, the newest 737 MAX plane with up to 230 seats, to our fleet will allow us to strengthen our capacity further. SunExpress is well-positioned for the future and will expand its network with a more fuel-efficient and environmentally sustainable aircraft fleet, while continuing to fulfill its role as Türkiye’s tourism ambassador.”
This new commitment from SunExpress will build on the airline’s previous order for 42 737-8s, nine of which have been delivered.
Flydubai also announced orders for 30 Boeing 787 Dreamliners as the airline diversifies its fleet with the introduction of widebody jets. In a signing ceremony at the Dubai Airshow, the Dubai-based carrier said it plans to use the 787 to open new routes and grow capacity on existing routes.
“In 2008 when we placed our first-ever order for 50 Boeing 737 aircraft, we were confident of the vital role flydubai would play in supporting Dubai’s aviation hub,” said His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of flydubai. “I am proud today to see flydubai evolve further, surpassing labels and challenging the traditional conventions around travel. Today’s order reaffirms flydubai’s commitment to enabling more people to travel across its expanding network. The highly fuel-efficient Boeing 787 Dreamliner will allow flydubai to expand its horizon and cater to the growing demand on existing routes.”
Flydubai currently operates an all-737 fleet of 79 airplanes. The airline has an order backlog of 137 737s.
According to Boeing’s Commercial Market Outlook, the Middle East airplane fleet is projected to more than double over the next 20 years. Nearly half of these deliveries will be widebody airplanes, driven by the region’s growing position as an international air transit hub.
Royal Jordanian orders 787-9 Dreamliners
Boeing and Royal Jordanian announced an order for four 787-9 Dreamliner jets as the airline expands and modernises its widebody fleet. Jordan’sflag carrier also reconfirmed at the Dubai Airshow a previous order for two 787-9s, bringing its total 787-9 backlog to six.
“Our decision to add the 787-9 Dreamliners to our fleet is a testament to our dedication to providing an unparalleled travel experience,” said Samer Majali, vice chairman and CEO of Royal Jordanian. “This move aligns seamlessly with our broader strategy of fleet modernisation, emphasising fuel efficiency, sustainability and passenger comfort. As we embark on this journey, we are confident that the Dreamliner’s cutting-edge technology will play a pivotal role in elevating our operational capabilities.”
Building on Royal Jordanian’s fleet of seven 787-8 airplanes, the addition of another member of the Dreamliner family will enable the airline to fly more passengers and cargo farther. The 787-9 can fly 296 passengers 14,010 km (7,565 nautical miles), building on routes first opened by the 787-8.
“This order for additional 787s is a testament to Royal Jordanian’s longstanding commitment to the market-leading capabilities of the Dreamliner,” said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “We are confident Royal Jordanian will profitably expand its network and operate a more sustainable fleet with these new fuel-efficient jets.”
Boeing Global Services will also provide modification services for Royal Jordanian’s in-service 787s that will enhance in-flight connectivity for passengers and crew. As part of the agreement, Boeing will perform the engineering work, while supplying kits for the modifications.
Royal Air Maroc confirms order for Boeing 787 Dreamliners
Boeing and Royal Air Maroc announced the North African carrier placed a repeat order for the 787 Dreamliner, confirming two 787-9s in its order book as the airline grows its widebody fleet. The carrier, which currently operates nine Dreamliners, leverages the 787 family’s efficiency and flexibility to expand its long-haul network.
“The two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners will enable Royal Air Maroc to expand in the short-term its long-haul network in response to the highly favourable market conditions in 2023,” said Abdelhamid Addou, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Royal Air Maroc. “Simultaneously, the company is actively pursuing a significant tender to quadruple the fleet before 2037.”
Royal Air Maroc has added to its widebody airplane count with a mix of 787-8s and 787-9s over the last nine years. This order was previously unidentified on Boeing’s Orders & Deliveries website.
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