- Emirates 90-plane 777X deal to kick-start Dubai Airshow

Middle East carriers are expected to place orders for long-haul jets worth tens of billions of dollars at the Dubai Airshow. Despite concerns about the impact of the war in Gaza on the travel sector, Emirates and flyDubai are set to make a strong presence at the event. Emirates is likely to order 90 Boeing 777X jets, providing a much-needed boost to the program, which has faced delays. The deal could be worth around $40 billion. Emirates and Boeing have declined to comment on the matter. There are concerns about further delays in the program, but Boeing has stated that there is no change to the schedule. Emirates, the world’s largest user of wide-body jets, is also considering orders for the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787. However, the immediate focus is on the Boeing 777X order. A potential order from Emirates for the Airbus A350 is on hold due to negotiations regarding an engine deal with Rolls-Royce. FlyDubai is expected to order more Boeing 737 MAX jets. Industry officials estimate that airlines worldwide are negotiating to buy around 700-800 new jets, including a significant number of large aircraft. The success of these negotiations will depend on the state of the industry and the competition among Gulf groups. Turkish Airlines has emerged as a major player at the Dubai Airshow, with talks of ordering up to 355 Airbus jets. The airline may announce part of the deal at the event. Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Air is not expected to place a large order for narrowbody jets at the show. Dubai is hosting the airshow amid the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas war, which has affected flight bookings and increased demand for weapons. However, few major arms deals are expected at the event.