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Emirates is projected to generate the most widebody MRO demand in the region during the forecast period.
The Middle East’s widebody fleet is projected to capture 75% of all aftermarket demand in the region over the next 10 years. Widebody MRO is expected to grow at 4.9% and be dominated by engine maintenance at an anticipated 57% of demand.
According to Aviation Week’s 2026 Commercial Fleet & MRO Forecast, overall fleet size is expected to increase by more than 900 widebody aircraft over the forecast period, doubling the number of widebodies in the region. Those fleet gains are projected to result in an 8% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) after retirements, freighter conversions and storage activities are tallied. While Airbus has more than 140 firm orders for the A330 and A350, Boeing widebody orders outnumber them by more than 530. For Airbus, the A350 is the most popular widebody; Boeing’s 777 orders outnumber those for the Boeing 787 by over 50 aircraft.
Overall, $143 billion in widebody MRO demand in the Middle East is expected during the next 10 years after 9,100 major service events and a 4.9% CAGR. With the anticipated introduction of new aircraft, maintenance expenditures are forecast to keep pace with the fleet growth expansion, especially late in the period. Nearly $82 billion of the overall maintenance demand (57%), however, is projected to be engine-related. The engine maintenance sector is anticipated to grow at 5.7% CAGR and climb rapidly on a constant dollar basis through the 10-year forecast period, with demand shared by a few manufacturers.
GE Aerospace engines are likely to account for nearly three quarters of widebody engine MRO demand and total $58 billion, reflecting the size of the fleet powered by the GE90 and GEnx. Rolls-Royce Trent series engines, powering the A330 and A350 and an option for the 787, are to account for nearly 20% of engine MRO with over $16 billion in demand.
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