At the start of the Dubai Airshow on Monday, Middle Eastern airlines are expected to place orders worth tens of billions of dollars for long-haul aircraft, as Emirates reaffirms its faith in the delayed Boeing 777X despite fresh competition from rivals such as Turkish Airlines.
Industry sources stated that despite worries about a decline in the economically significant tourism sector due to Middle East tensions, host Emirates and low-cost relative flyDubai will likely imprint early on the world’s second-largest aerospace event.
In a boost to the program amid continuous uncertainty about the timeline for the world’s largest twin-engined jet, anticipated in 2025 following a five-year delay, they added that this includes a new order for several dozen Boeing 777X aircraft.
According to those with knowledge of the flagship program, there is a greater chance of additional delays while Boeing first assesses how stricter certification regulations will affect other programs. Boeing announced on Friday that its schedule remained unchanged.
Emirates is the world’s largest user of wide-body aircraft, utilizing both current-generation Boeing 777s and Airbus A380 superjumbos. It has declared that it is considering placing more orders for the smaller Boeing 787, Airbus A350, and improved 777X.
The 787 is the one that is least likely to appear right away.
FlyDubai operates Boeing 737 MAX narrowbody aircraft, rivaling the Airbus A320neo. According to reports, the airline plans to place additional orders for these aircraft this week.
Boeing, Airbus (AIR.PA), and Emirates all declined to comment.
As they catch up on fleet replacement plans put aside during the pandemic, industry officials believe airlines globally are negotiating behind the scenes to buy about 700–800 new jets, including 200–300 of the largest in the world.
The outcome of discussions and rivalry among Gulf organizations determines how many of those pay off in time for the Nov. 13–17 event.
Following reports from the state-run Anadolu news agency on Saturday, Turkish Airlines (THY) (THYAO.IS) unexpectedly appeared on the show’s agenda—it was in talks to purchase up to 355 Airbus aircraft.
Industry sources stated that after further negotiations, the airline may make some of the transactions public on Monday.
It has stated that negotiations are underway for 600 aircraft, most likely to be divided between Airbus and Boeing.
According to one Middle Eastern source, the possibility of a Turkish order is a “bold move,” increasing rivalry at the showpiece event.
Nevertheless, other sources stated that it is premature to speculate about a sizable order for narrowbody planes from Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Air, the newest airline in the region, as early as Dubai.
The airline declined to comment. However, it has hinted at deciding in the upcoming weeks.
The biannual aerospace pageant is being held in aviation capital Dubai against the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, which is increasing demand for weaponry and restricting airspace, increasing the cost and duration of flights for specific carriers.
The travel research company ForwardKeys said on Friday that since October 7, fewer flights have been booked worldwide.
It stated that reservations to the Middle East have dropped by 26%.
Daniel Silke, head of Political Futures Consultancy in Cape Town, stated, “There’s enough statistical evidence, at least in the short term, to show that there’s been a substantial drop in ticket sales into the region.”
According to analysts, the battle in Gaza is also expected to increase demand for weaponry, which has already risen over the previous 18 months as the US and its allies rearmament Ukraine against Russia. Few significant arms agreements are anticipated at the exhibition, in any case.
