Dubai Airshow 2023: Emirates boosts Boeing

The Emirates Group today placed huge orders for Emirates Airline and sister carrier flyDubai for Boeing's 777X and 787 widebodies.

Revealing the order for Emirates Airline, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Group told a packed announcement event: “I am sure [this event] is what you are all waiting for.”

The order for Emirates, worth $52 billion, is for 55 Boeing 777-9s and 35 777-8s and will bring the carrier’s total orderbook for the type, including a previous 777X deal, to 205 aircraft, he explained. It includes an order for 202 General Electric GE-9X engines. The first 777-9s will be delivered in 2025 and the first 777-8s are expected in 2030, said HH Sheikh Ahmed.

HH Sheikh Ahmed went on to say that Emirates has also updated its Boeing Dreamliner order adding a further 35 units to its backlog. This will consist of 15 787-10s and 20 787-8s.

In total Emirates now has 245 widebodies on order with Boeing, including five 777 Freighters.

The ink was still drying on these deals when HH Sheikh Ahmed made a second announcement, unveiling flyDubai’s first foray into widebody operations with an order for 30 787-9s saying its “signifies the maturing of flydubai”.

The Emirates 777X order is a major boost for Boeing, with the type’s in-service date significantly delayed and the 787 subject to several quality issues. Addressing HH Sheikh Ahmed at the event, Stan Deal, Boeing Commercial Airplanes President said: “thank you for the confidence in Boeing.”

“The 777 is at the centre of the Emirates strategy to connect cities to different continents non-stop to Dubai,” said HH Sheikh Ahmed. “The order represents Dubai’s commitment to the future of aviation and supports the 2033 Dubai Economic Agenda.”

The flyDubai order for 787s “signals a new chapter for the airline, building on the success of its strong business model”, said HH Sheikh Ahmed. It currently operates over 80 737 single-aisles.