Summary
- The Dubai Air Show is the largest aerospace and defense event in the Middle East, attracting exhibitors and visitors from around the world.
- SunExpress ordered 90 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to double its fleet and strengthen its capacity for future growth.
- Emirates announced a significant order for 95 additional widebodies, expanding its route map and aiming to connect Dubai to even more cities around the world.
The Dubai Air Show is taking place this week, November 13-17th. A significant number of aircraft orders are expected to be announced throughout the event, where industry deals and announcements abound. The show occurs in odd years and has become the largest aerospace and defense event in the Middle East, with exhibitors and visitors from around the world.
In advance of an expected aircraft order, emerging carrier Riyadh Air debuted its second livery, a predominately white affair, complete with a mask detailing around the cockpit windows.
Sun Express starts the show.
The day’s first order went to Boeing for 90 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The purchaser was Turkey-based low-cost carrier SunExpress, which placed 45 firm orders and 45 options for Boeing’s best-selling narrowbody.
The joint venture of Lufthansa Group and Turkish Airlines is currently flying 50 Boeing 737-800 aircraft and will divide the new aircraft firm order is split between 28 737 MAX 8s and 17 MAX 10s. Max Kownatzki, SunExpress CEO, explained how the recent orders will help the airline achieve its goals:
“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.”
Photo: Boeing
In 2022, the airline’s passenger count reached nearly 11 million across 175 routes to 30 countries.
Emirates expands its 777 fleet.
Emirates, the Dubai home carrier, was the next to announce a significant deal. The airline disclosed a substantial order for 95 additional widebodies. The deal is worth $52 billion, bringing the carrier’s total order book to 295 aircraft. The order is split between Boeing 777-9s, 777-8s, and 787s. HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates, outlined how the new aircraft will expand the carrier’s route map:
“These additional aircraft will enable Emirates to connect even more cities, supporting the Dubai economic agenda D33 set out by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to add 400 cities to Dubai’s foreign trade map over the next decade.
“By the early 2030s, we expect the Emirates fleet to be around 350-strong, connecting Dubai to even more cities around the world.”
The order also shuffles the numbers of Dreamliner variants, with Emirates now planning to take delivery of a total of 35 Boeing 787s, split between 20 787-8 and 15 787-10 aircraft.
Flydubai dreams of something bigger
Dubai’s low-cost airline, FlyDubai, took the spotlight with a major reveal. The carrier signed an $11 billion order of 30 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners to be delivered beginning in 2026. This is the first time FlyDubai will have flown widebodies. The carrier has only operated single-aisle aircraft to date, with a fleet of 79 Boeing 737s and 137 more on order. Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, commented on how they would fit with the carrier’s overall mission:
“The 787-9 is perfectly suited for the needs of flydubai as it looks to open up longer-range routes and add capacity across its network.
“flydubai passengers will enjoy the Dreamliner effect, an experience like no other in the air, flying with more comfort and arriving at their destinations feeling more refreshed.”
The carrier confirmed it plans to use the new Dreamliners to open new routes and grow capacity on existing services.
AirBaltic goes all in on Airbus.
The flag carrier of Latvia will become the largest Airbus A220 customer in Europe, with 100 of the time in its fleet by 2020. The incremental order adds 30 A220-300s to the carrier’s backlog, bringing the airline’s total firm order book to 80 aircraft.
With 44 examples in its fleet, airBaltic is currently the largest A220-300 operator in the world. The carrier was the launch customer for the type in 2016 and gradually phased out its other aircraft to operate exclusively A22-300s by 2020. Martin Gauss, President and CEO of airBaltic, noted how vital the type is to the carrier’s operation:
“This day marks a significant milestone in the history of airBaltic – our plans for the first time ever to operate a fleet of 100 aircraft by 2030. For almost seven years already, the Airbus A220-300 has been the backbone of our operations and has played an integral role in the international success story of airBaltic”.
Photo: Shutterstock | kbp.spotter
The airline has already taken 150,000 flights with the A220 and anticipates the arrival of its 50th aircraft next year.
Royal Jordanian reconfirms Dreamliners.
The airline, the first in the Middle East to order the 787 over 16 years ago, announced an order for four 787-9 Dreamliners to expand its widebody fleet. The flag carrier of Jordan further reconfirmed a previous order for two 787-9s, bringing its total 787-9 backlog to six. Samer Majali, vice chairman and CEO of Royal Jordanian, expressed excitement for the updated order:
“Our decision to add the 787-9 Dreamliners to our fleet is a testament to our dedication to providing an unparalleled travel experience.
“This move aligns seamlessly with our broader strategy of fleet modernization, emphasizing 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.”
Photo: Boeing