$52B deal leads Boeing Dreamliner orders on first day of Dubai Airshow

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The first day of the Dubai Airshow brought a stream of sales for Boeing Co., including a $52 billion deal with the host country’s Emirates Airline.

Boeing and Emirates announced that the world's largest 777 operator has placed an order for 90 777 airplanes, including 55 777-9 and 35 777-8 jets, according to a news release from Boeing. The new order, which increases Emirates' 777 family backlog to 205 planes, was announced during the Dubai Airshow at a signing event attended by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group, and Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

Also on the first day of the airshow, Boeing inked deals for the North Charleston-based 787 Dreamliner with Royal Jordanian, flydubai and North Africa carrier Royal Air Maroc.

In addition to its new orders, Emirates updated its 787 Dreamliner order book to better align future capacity to demand, the news release said. The airline is buying five more 787 jets — growing its 787 backlog to 35 — while converting 30 787-9s to 20 787-8 and 10 787-10 airplanes.

"Emirates is the biggest operator of Boeing 777 aircraft, and today's order cements that position," Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, said in the release. "We've been closely involved in the 777 program since its start up until this latest generation of 777X aircraft. The 777 has been central to Emirates' fleet and network strategy of connecting cities on all continents non-stop to Dubai. We are pleased to extend our relationship with Boeing and look forward to the first 777-9 joining our fleet in 2025." 

Boeing's relationship with Emirates dates back to the airline's first 777 order in 1992. Today, Emirates has nearly 150 777 jets in its fleet, according to the release. Based on the most successful twin-aisle airplane ever, the 777, the 777X family is designed to maximize efficiency and environmental performance by 25%, while providing an exceptional onboard experience.

"This order is an incredible vote of confidence in Boeing's highly efficient widebody family and the versatility of our 777X and 787 airplanes to meet Emirates' needs for global long-haul travel," Deal said in the release. "The 777-9 and 777-8 are the perfect airplanes to support Emirates' growth, improving environmental performance and unmatched payload capability along the way."

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The 777-9 will be the largest and most fuel-efficient twin-engine jet in the world, with the lowest operating cost per seat of any commercial airplane, according to Boeing. The 777-9 seats 426 passengers in a typical two-class configuration, with a range of 7,295 nautical miles.

The 777-8 seats 395 passengers with a range capability of up to 8,745 nautical miles. The 777-8 also offers airlines more revenue potential through more payload and improved fuel efficiency on short and long flights, according to Boeing.

Boeing's 2023 Commercial Market Outlook forecasts widebody airplanes will comprise 45% of deliveries to Middle East airlines over the next 20 years ─ the highest regional percentage worldwide. Many airlines in the region provide service between major global population centers and as a result, a higher proportion of widebody aircraft are needed to carry larger passenger volumes.

The order from flydubai is for 30 787-9 Dreamliners that the Dubai-based carrier said will diversify its fleet so that it can open new routes and grow capacity on existing routes.

"In 2008 when we placed our first-ever order for 50 Boeing 737 aircraft, we were confident of the vital role flydubai would play in supporting Dubai's aviation hub," said His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, who also is chairman of flydubai. "I am proud today to see flydubai evolve further, surpassing labels and challenging the traditional conventions around travel. Today's order reaffirms flydubai's commitment to enabling more people to travel across its expanding network. The highly fuel-efficient Boeing 787 Dreamliner will allow flydubai to expand its horizon and cater to the growing demand on existing routes."

"Innovation is at the heart of everything we do at flydubai. We are committed to offering the right product at the right time to cater to the changing market and customer needs," Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO at flydubai, said in the release. "The Boeing 787 Dreamliner offers a perfect combination of operational excellence, fuel efficiency as well as passenger appeal."

Flydubai currently operates an all-737 fleet of 79 airplanes. The airline has an order backlog of 137 737s.

Royal Jordanian ordered four 787-9 Dreamliner jets as the airline expands and modernizes its widebody fleet. Jordan's flag carrier also reconfirmed at the Dubai Airshow a previous order for two 787-9s, bringing its total 787-9 backlog to six, according to a separate news release.

"Our decision to add the 787-9 Dreamliners to our fleet is a testament to our dedication to providing an unparalleled travel experience," Samer Majali, vice chairman and CEO of Royal Jordanian, said in the release. "This move aligns seamlessly with our broader strategy of fleet modernization, emphasizing fuel efficiency, sustainability and passenger comfort. As we embark on this journey, we are confident that the Dreamliner's cutting-edge technology will play a pivotal role in elevating our operational capabilities."

Boeing Global Services will also provide modification services for Royal Jordanian's in-service 787s that will enhance in-flight connectivity for passengers and crew. As part of the agreement, Boeing will perform the engineering work, while supplying kits for the

Royal Air Maroc placed a repeat order for the 787 Dreamliner, confirming two 787-9s in its order book as the airline grows its widebody fleet. The carrier currently operates nine Dreamliners.

"The two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners will enable Royal Air Maroc to expand in the short-term its long-haul network in response to the highly favorable market conditions in 2023," said Abdelhamid Addou, chairman and CEO, Royal Air Maroc. "Simultaneously, the company is actively pursuing a significant tender to quadruple the fleet before 2037."

Royal Air Maroc has added to its widebody airplane count with a mix of 787-8s and 787-9s over the last nine years. This order was previously unidentified on Boeing’s Orders & Deliveries website.

"The 787 Dreamliner is perfectly suited to support Royal Air Maroc's growth and modernization plans," said Brad McMullen, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing. "Boeing's relationship with the airline spans more than five decades, and we look forward to more opportunities to strengthen our partnership with Royal Air Maroc."

Royal Air Maroc is the national carrier of Morocco.

The North Charleston Dreamliner was not the only beneficiary of the Dubai Airshow. SunExpress, a joint venture of Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa announced a commitment to purchase up to 90 single-aisle 737 Max airplanes. Those jets are assembled in Renton, Wash.

Boeing South Carolina is home to the 787 Dreamliner program. The North Charleston team fabricates, assembles and delivers the 787-8, 787-9 and 787-10. In addition to the production facilities, Boeing South Carolina is home to Boeing Research & Technology, IT Center of Excellence, Propulsion Systems, Interiors Responsibility Center and Engineering Design Center. More than 300 companies are suppliers to Boeing South Carolina.