The total value of announced and confirmed deals, both civil and military, during the first day of the largest Dubai Airshow in history reached 153 billion dirhams. This includes orders for 92 aircraft alongside a diverse range of military transactions.
Emirates Airline kicked off the show with an order for 65 additional Boeing 777-9 aircraft equipped with GE 9X engines, valued at 38 billion dollars (approximately 140 billion dirhams).
With this latest order, Emirates’ total requests from Boeing have now reached 315 wide-body aircraft. This includes 270 units of the 777-9 model, 10 freighters of the F777 model, and 35 787 aircraft.
Furthermore, the total number of GE9X engines ordered by Emirates from GE Aerospace has risen to 540, including an additional 130 engines ordered today. This recent agreement with Boeing provides a significant boost to the feasibility study for developing the larger 777-10 variant within the 777X family, as Emirates has secured options to switch their new order from the 777-9 to either the 777-10 or 777-8 variants.
Fly Dubai
Fly Dubai has signed an agreement with General Electric Aviation to purchase 60 GEnx-1B engines to power the airline’s inaugural fleet of 30 Boeing 787-9 wide-body aircraft.
This agreement supports Fly Dubai’s ongoing growth strategy, enabling it to enhance capacity on current routes and meet the increasing demand from travelers.
On the same day, Ethiopian Airlines announced an order for 11 additional Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, with an estimated value of 4.6 billion dirhams.
Helvetic Airways revealed an order for three additional Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, along with five purchase options, with an estimated value of around 660 million dirhams.
Additionally, Ivory Coast’s national carrier, Air Côte d’Ivoire, confirmed an order for four Embraer E175 aircraft, estimated at 690 million dirhams as part of its fleet modernization and regional expansion strategy. Meanwhile, Senegal Airlines has ordered nine Boeing 737 MAX planes, with an estimated value of 3.9 billion dirhams.
The Dubai Airshow has seen remarkable activity in deal-making during its recent editions, solidifying its position as one of the premier global events in the civil and defense aviation sectors.
Past editions have included substantial orders for Boeing and Airbus from companies like Emirates and Fly Dubai, alongside maintenance and logistical support agreements, as well as defense contracts worth billions, covering weaponry, maintenance, and advancements in aerial systems.
These transactions underscore the strength of the aviation market in the region and highlight the UAE’s role as a global hub for aviation and aerospace industries, along with bolstering its defense capabilities and international partnerships.
Defense Ministry Deals
The first day of the Dubai Airshow 2025 also saw the Tawazun Economic Council announce eight deals on behalf of the Ministry of Defense, totaling 3.77 billion dirhams with local and international companies.
This announcement was made during a press conference featuring council spokespersons, emphasizing that the Planning and Procurement Directorate serves as the backbone for overseeing the execution of these deals within the council’s framework.
The directorate aims to standardize excellence in procurement services for all users, from strategic planning to supplier collaboration and operational execution, fostering transparency and efficiency to achieve a tangible national impact.
Details of the domestic deals for the Ministry of Defense on the first day of the show included six contracts valued at 3.04 billion dirhams, which involved an agreement with GAL Air Navigation Services to provide air navigation services and specialized technical personnel worth 1.294 billion dirhams.
Additional contracts included an agreement with GAL Aerospace Logistics for technical support, spare parts, and aircraft assistance valued at 600 million dirhams, and two contracts with International Golden Group, the first for technical support for aircraft systems valued at 415 million dirhams and the second for purchasing aerial drop parachutes worth 299 million dirhams. There was also a contract with Maximus Air for aircraft leasing valued at 293 million dirhams and another with Abu Dhabi Maritime Agency for aircraft leasing at 137 million dirhams.
Internationally, the first day of the show included two international deals totaling 725 million dirhams, including a contract with Airbus Helicopters for H Care services for helicopters valued at 512 million dirhams, and another deal with Brazil’s Embraer for purchasing PRAETOR-600 VIP aircraft worth 212 million dirhams.
The Tawazun council is strengthening its strategic partnerships with both domestic and international firms through these transactions, supporting the development of the nation’s defense and security capabilities via an integrated national system aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of UAE’s defense industries at both regional and international levels.
Officials noted that the Dubai Airshow serves as a leading global platform that fosters innovation and future technologies in the defense and aviation sectors, reinforcing the UAE’s position as a regional and international hub for advanced industries and a knowledge-based economy.
This year’s edition highlights the latest developments in sustainability, innovation driven by AI, advanced transportation, and space exploration, marking it as the most significant and future-focused event to date.