Emirates and flydubai Boost Fleet Expansion at Dubai Airshow 2025

The Dubai Airshow 2025 witnessed significant developments as both Emirates and flydubai made substantial announcements regarding fleet expansions and enhancements to onboard experiences. On March 5, 2025, Emirates ordered an additional eight Airbus A350-900 aircraft, increasing its total commitment for this model to 73 units. This order reflects a strategic investment estimated at approximately $3.4 billion based on list prices. The Dubai-based carrier’s robust plans were further underscored by a previous order for 65 Boeing 777-9 jets, bringing the total commitments for widebody aircraft to an impressive $41.4 billion.

Emirates’ Chair and CEO, Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, expressed enthusiasm about the airline’s growth trajectory, stating, “Together with the additional Boeing 777-9 order announced earlier this week, Emirates now has a total of 375 units of the latest widebody aircraft on its order book. This is a massive investment in our future.” The airline continues to solidify its position as a leader in global aviation by expanding its fleet to enhance connectivity and capacity.

Flydubai Announces Major Fleet Developments

While Emirates made headlines, flydubai also marked a successful day at the airshow with several key announcements. The Dubai-based airline revealed comprehensive training agreements with Boeing, focusing on support for both pilots and maintenance staff. Flydubai’s CEO, Ghaith Al Ghaith, confirmed that its upcoming fleet of 30 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners will feature a premium economy class as part of a three-class layout, enhancing the passenger experience.

In addition, flydubai selected Panasonic Avionics’ ‘Astrovia’ solution for in-flight entertainment, further elevating its service offerings. Earlier in the week, the airline signed a Memorandum of Understanding for 150 Airbus A321neo aircraft, alongside an additional agreement for 75 Boeing 737 MAX jets valued at $13 billion. With these commitments, flydubai anticipates operating nearly 100 aircraft by the end of the year.

Airbus Secures Smaller Deals

Amid the major announcements from the UAE carriers, Airbus also secured several smaller agreements during the show. The manufacturer signed a deal with Silk Way West Airlines for two more A350F cargo aircraft, increasing the airline’s total commitment to four units. Airbus emphasized that this partnership will support Silk Way West Airlines’ fleet modernization and expansion strategy.

Additionally, Airbus welcomed a new customer in the passenger aircraft sector. The Libyan airline Buraq Air committed to purchasing 10 narrowbody twinjets from the A320neo family. Benoit de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus’s Executive Vice President of Commercial Aircraft Sales, highlighted that this agreement reinforces the A320neo as the preferred choice for fleet modernization.

The Dubai Airshow 2025 has proven to be a pivotal event, showcasing the ambitious plans of regional airlines to expand their fleets while enhancing the overall passenger experience. As the event continues, industry leaders remain optimistic about the future of aviation.