Last year, the Middle East’s largest airlines, having missed out on intense aircraft orders, are now preparing for large-scale acquisitions to renew and expand their fleets. As the region’s leading carriers gear up to place hundreds of new orders for narrow-body and wide-body aircraft, this presents a significant growth opportunity for Airbus and Boeing.
Airlines in the Region Preparing for New Orders
- Flydubai plans to purchase at least 200 narrow-body aircraft and add 100 options.
- Etihad Airways is in talks to order 40 wide-body aircraft.
- Qatar Airways plans to place an order for approximately 230 twin-aisle planes.
- Gulf Air is negotiating to add a dozen wide-body jets to its fleet.
- Riyadh Air aims to order 50 long-haul aircraft.
These massive orders are turning the Middle East into a critical business source for Boeing and Airbus in the global aviation sector.
The Middle East’s Rapidly Growing Aviation Sector
While North America remains the largest profit center for the global aviation industry, the Middle East has emerged as the region with the strongest financial performance. Thanks to rising demand for premium long-haul travel, airlines in the Middle East have seen significant revenue growth.
Cities like Dubai are evolving from mere transit hubs into tourism destinations, and regional carriers are turning to new aircraft investments to strengthen their competitive edge.
Airbus and Boeing Facing Production Constraints
Due to record demand for new aircraft, airlines are accelerating their orders to secure delivery slots extending into the next decade. However, supply chain issues and engine maintenance challenges are making it difficult for Airbus and Boeing to increase production capacity.
Boeing is postponing deliveries due to order backlogs, while Airbus has yet to respond to the demands of Etihad and Qatar Airways. Gulf Air declined to comment.
Flydubai and Etihad’s New Aircraft Options
Flydubai CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith stated that they are in constant discussions with aircraft manufacturers and are currently assessing their narrow-body aircraft needs. The airline currently operates an all-Boeing 737 fleet, but Boeing’s delays and cancellations have led to a reassessment of Airbus A320 options.
Meanwhile, Etihad Airways aims to double its current fleet of 100 aircraft. The carrier is preparing to expand its fleet with Boeing 777X, 787 Dreamliner, and Airbus A350 options.
Riyadh Air and Gulf Air Stepping In
Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Air has already placed an order for 100 jets and is considering finalizing options for 33 Boeing 787 Dreamliners. The Airbus A350-1000 or Boeing 777X are also on the table.
Gulf Air, planning to grow its fleet of 40 aircraft, is considering purchasing around 10 Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Ongoing issues with Rolls-Royce engines may push the carrier to switch to General Electric engines.
Emirates Remains Silent on New Orders
The Middle East’s largest airline, Emirates, has not made an official announcement regarding new aircraft acquisitions. The airline has over 200 Boeing 777X orders, but due to delays in the aircraft’s certification process, deliveries are not expected until at least the second quarter of 2027.
After placing a small order for Airbus A350-900s at last year’s Dubai Air Show, Emirates has not announced any new orders since.
Orders Could Be Announced at Major Aviation Events
Many airlines reserve their big order announcements for major aviation events like Farnborough, the Paris Air Show, or the Dubai Air Show. The upcoming Dubai Air Show in November 2025 could be one of the most significant platforms for revealing new orders.
