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 competitors like Turkish Airlines.
Industry insiders stated that despite worries about a decline in the economically significant tourism sector due to the Gaza conflict, hosts Emirates and sister airline FlyDubai are anticipated to make their imprint early on the world’s second-largest aerospace event.
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 competitors like Turkish Airlines.
Industry insiders stated that despite worries about a decline in the economically significant tourism sector due to the Gaza conflict, hosts Emirates and sister airline FlyDubai are anticipated to make their imprint early on the world’s second-largest aerospace event.
They added that this included a fresh order for ninety Boeing 777X aircraft, which would significantly boost a program plagued by continuous uncertainty over the timeline for the world’s largest twin-engine aircraft, which is now anticipated in 2025 following a five-year delay.
Experts estimated that the showpiece deal, which may be valued at nearly $40 billion at list prices based on the sub-model selected, would provide airlines in Turkey and India with a competitive advantage against Saudi Arabia and other growing carriers.
Both Boeing (BA.N.) and Emirates declined to comment. According to industry insiders, last-minute talks centered on the conditions of an engine agreement with Rolls-Royce (RR.L.), potentially delaying a concurrent purchase from Emirates for the rival Airbus (AIR.PA) A350. Not a single company consented to comment.
The region’s airports are home to the largest aircraft in the business, and demand for them is booming following a protracted cyclical slowdown and the negative impact of COVID-19 on long-haul travel.
As they catch up on fleet replacement plans put aside during the epidemic, industry experts believe airlines globally are negotiating behind the scenes to acquire some 700–800 new planes, 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 discussions to purchase up to 355 Airbus aircraft.
According to industry insiders, the airline could make at least some announcements on Monday. It has stated that negotiations are underway for 600 aircraft, divided between Airbus and Boeing.
A source from the Middle East characterized the possibility of a Turkish order as a “bold move” that would occur in the neighbors’ garden.
REDUCED BOOKINGS
Reportedly, FlyDubai, a medium-haul Boeing 737 MAX aircraft carrier, is planning to place an additional order for aircraft on Monday. A request for comment was not immediately answered by the airline.
Nevertheless, some 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 area, as early as Dubai.
The airline declined to comment. However, it has hinted at deciding in the upcoming weeks. Emirates is the world’s largest user of wide-body aircraft, utilizing both current-generation Boeing 777s and Airbus A380 superjumbos. It has declared openly 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. According to those who know the flagship 777X, there is a greater chance of additional delays as Boeing first assesses how stricter certification requirements would affect other projects. Boeing announced on Friday that its timeline remained unchanged.
The biannual aerospace pageant is being held in Dubai against the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, which is increasing the demand for weaponry and blocking airspace, resulting in more protracted and expensive flights for specific carriers.
The travel research company ForwardKeys said on Friday that since October 7, fewer flights had been booked worldwide.
It stated that reservations in the Middle East had dropped by 26%. Daniel Silke, head of Political Futures Consultancy in Cape Town, said, “There’s enough statistical evidence, at least in the short term, to show that there’s been a substantial drop in ticket sales in the region.”
According to analysts, the battle in Gaza is also expected to increase demand for weaponry, which has already risen over the past 18 months as the US and its allies rearmament Ukraine against Russia. Few significant arms agreements are anticipated during the exhibition, though.
