The Dubai Airshow 2025 kept a steady momentum on its third day running, with new deals, fleet upgrades and strategic partnerships. Middle East carriers dominated discussions, with Emirates and flyDubai keeping up the pace in fleet upgrades.
flyDubai keeps a steady pace with new Boeing orders
The UAE carrier, which has usually operated an all-Boeing fleet, earlier inked a deal with Airbus for 150 A321neo aircraft, becoming a new Airbus customer at the airshow. However, on day three, it eventually split the difference, maintaining its Boeing loyalty with a 75 aircraft order for the Boeing 737 MAX jets.
The airline continued modernising its fleet to boost connectivity with a 75-aircraft order, with the agreement including 75 options as well.
Emirates upgrades Airbus fleet
Emirates also kept upgrading its fleet with an order of eight additional Airbus aircraft. The latest order for the Airbus 350-900 aircraft is worth $ 3.4 billion. With this, Emirates’ A350-900 fleet is expected to grow to a total of 73 units when all deliveries are completed.
Silk Way West, Buraq Air Deals and More
The focus on day three of the airshow, unlike the first 48 hours, was more on targeted and strategic deals.
Airbus continued raking in customers with a new MoU signed with Buraq Air, the first private Libyan airline. The airline has agreed to purchase ten A320neo Family aircraft, with the agreement being signed at the Dubai Airshow 2025 by Fouzi Almiqalh, General Assembly President of Buraq Air and Benoit de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business. The announcement came soon after Etihad Airways placed a firm order for six Airbus A330-900, amid its widebody fleet expansion.
Separately, the aircraft manufacturer also signed a deal with Baku, Azerbaijan-based Silk Way West Airlines for a firm order of two A350F freighter aircraft. The agreement brings the airline’s total order to four A350Fs, a key to its fleet modernisation and expansion strategy, Airbus said.
Elsewhere, global financing company Avolon agreed to lease five Airbus A320 family aircraft to Uzbekistan-based Centrum Air. Beyond fleet expansion, Emirates has been active in forming strategic partnerships. The Dubai-based airline signed a deal with ENOC to explore initiatives for sustainable fuel supply in Dubai.
Day four awaits with new partnerships, key deals, amazing air displays and more.
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