Boeing-Exclusive flydubai Weighs Airbus Options

Dubai-based carrier flydubai is reportedly in discussion with Boeing and Airbus about a major aircraft order for its future fleet. While the carrier has so far maintained its allegiance with the American aircraft manufacturer, due to a string of recent delivery delays and cancelations at Boeing, flydubai might quite possibly be looking to purchase aircraft from the European aircraft manufacturer.

Under consideration

While the carrier currently operates 88 Boeing 737 family aircraft, with 127 more on order, flydubai has exclusively operated the Boeing narrow-body aircraft so far. However, a recent report from ch-aviation stated that the carrier is considering making a mega-order to solidify the airline’s future fleet and is currently in discussion with Boeing and, surprisingly, also Airbus.

The report also stated a quote made by the airline CEO – Ghaith Al Ghaith, to Bloomberg:

Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock

While Boeing was obligated to deliver 14 aircraft to flydubai during 2024, the reality is, thus far, only four 737s have been delivered, which is a backlog from 2023, and while the airline announced earlier this month that it is expecting at least seven more deliveries this year, last week, Boeing advice flydubai that there would not be any more aircraft delivered to the airline this year.

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Not just the 737s

While the 737s remain the backbone of flydubai’s operations, the airline also has 30 of Boeing’s larger 787-9 Dreamliners on order. The carrier first ordered the Boeing 787-9s during the 2023 Dubai Airshow, and though the type is slated to enter the airline’s fleet in 2026, the airline’s recent poor aircraft delivery performance has raised some concerns about the delivery of its widebodies.

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Considering that airlines usually order aircraft well in advance and meticulously plan their future growth strategy, aircraft delivery delays can lead to chaos for airlines, who then have to either cancel their growth plans or take expensive measures to ensure sufficient capacity is available.

Photo: flydubai

These measures could include leasing aircraft from other sources or extending the life of existing aircraft that are set to be phased out. Sister carrier Emirates, being on the same boat for the Boeing 777-9, has chosen to do exactly that by retrofitting several of its existing aircraft with newer cabins and increasing the operational lifespan of the aircraft with the airline.

Same aircraft, new cabin

While Emirates should have received its first Boeing 777-9 years ago, the type has seen significant delays with the aircraft not yet certified, and the tentative entry into service for the aircraft is now pushed to 2026 (delayed by six years).

While the 777-9 was originally meant to replace a considerable portion of Emirates’ existing fleet of Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s, due to delays in certification and entry into service, Emirates has embarked upon the largest retrofit program ever seen across the aviation industry to bring its older aircraft up to its latest standards in order to operate the aircraft for the foreseeable future.

Photo: Emirates

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Emirates is embarking on a $2 billion retrofit program to modernize its fleet, with some 191 aircraft set for refurbishment.

The carrier, however, is facing delivery delays on multiple fronts because Emirates was set to receive its first Airbus A350, which was set to enter into commercial service with the airline in September, which has now been pushed back to November due to supply-chain issues preventing Airbus from receiving the aircraft’s engines on time.