Emirates airline made a groundbreaking announcement at the Dubai Airshow on Monday, revealing a staggering $52 billion order for 95 Boeing planes. The substantial purchase comprises 55 Boeing 777-9s and 35 777-8s, complemented by an enhancement to an existing order for 30 787 Dreamliners, which has now been increased to 35.
Emirates CEO Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum expressed the significance of this investment, emphasizing Dubai’s unwavering commitment to the future of aviation during a press conference.
In a separate development at the same event, budget carrier Flydubai disclosed its order for 30 Boeing 787-9s. With this latest agreement, Emirates’ total order book has climbed to 295 planes, including 205 777X aircraft.
The airline has also procured 202 GE9X engines to power its 777X fleet. Sheikh Ahmed mentioned that the 777-9s are expected to be delivered in 2025, while the 777-8s are scheduled for 2030.
During the Dubai Airshow, Boeing also announced a substantial order of 45 737 MAX aircraft from budget carrier SunExpress. Meanwhile, speculation surrounds Turkish Airlines, with reports suggesting it is on the verge of securing an order for approximately 350 aircraft.
The influx of significant deals this week underscores the aviation sector’s recovery from the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, which brought international travel to a standstill.
Emirates Group, in a related development, reported record half-year net profits of Dhs10.1 billion ($2.7 billion) last week, marking a 138% increase from the previous year. This robust financial performance follows the company’s announcement of record annual profits of $3 billion in May.
