Boeing has opened the Dubai Airshow 2025 on a strong note with Emirates placing an order for 65 Boeing 777X aircraft. This was followed by commitments from Ethiopian Airlines and Air Senegal for additional MAX jets.
Embraer has also received orders from Helvetic Airways and Air Côte d’Ivoire on the first day of the bi-annual Airshow.
Here is a recap of orders and announcements from the first day of the Dubai Airshow.
Emirates Orders 65 Boeing 777X
Boeing has kicked off the Dubai Airshow 2025 with an additional order for 65 Boeing 777X from Emirates, increasing its commitment to 270 aircraft across the 777-9 and 777-8. This further reaffirms EK’s role as the largest operator of the Boeing 777 family and strengthens its long-term growth strategy for the future.
HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum stated that the airline is expanding its commitment to the program with long-term growth in mind, describing the deal as a continuation of Emirates’ decades-long partnership with Boeing.
Interestingly, the Dubai-based carrier also reaffirmed its backing of the 777-10 feasibility study, stating its support for Boeing’s plans to develop the stretched variant, with options to convert part of its latest 777-9 order to the 777-10 or 777-8 in the future.
“Emirates has been open about the fact that we are keen for manufacturers to build larger capacity aircraft, which are more efficient to operate especially with projected air traffic growth and increasing constraints at airports. We fully support Boeing’s feasibility study to develop the 777-10 and have options to convert our latest 777-9 order to the 777-10 or the 777-8,” said HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive, Emirates Airline and Group.
Emirates’ latest purchase brings its total Boeing widebody orderbook to 315 aircraft, comprising:
- 270 Boeing 777X aircraft
- 10 Boeing 777 Freighters
- 35 Boeing 787 Dreamliners
Moreover, this also boosts the airline’s orderbook with GE Aerospace to 540 GE9X engines, including the 130 additional units signed today. Taken together, this represents one of the largest long-term commitments to U.S. aerospace manufacturing by any carrier.
Ethiopian Airlines Orders 11 Boeing 737 MAX
Ethiopian Airlines has committed to purchasing 11 additional Boeing 737-8 aircraft, strengthening its position as Africa’s largest airline. Signed at the Dubai Airshow, the agreement aims to support the carrier’s regional and international expansion strategy, enabling growth across its Addis Ababa hub.
Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew said the additional 737-8 jets will play a central role in the airline’s long-term vision, highlighting the aircraft’s performance and passenger comfort as key reasons for the continued investment.
“We are thrilled to be announcing our agreement with Boeing for additional 11 737-8 airplanes today during Dubai Airshow. The order will support our growth plans that we have set as part of our vision and strategy,” said Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mr. Mesfin Tasew.
The airline already deploys the 737 MAX family across Africa, the Middle East, India, and Southern Europe markets. Moreover. Ethiopian currently operates the largest Boeing fleet in Africa and holds the continent’s biggest backlog of 737 MAX, 777X, and 787 aircraft.
Air Senegal Commits to Its First Boeing 737 MAX Order
Air Senegal has announced a firm commitment for nine Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, marking the airline’s largest-ever fleet purchase and its first Boeing order since 2004. The carrier plans to expand regional and international services and strengthen Dakar as a key aviation hub in West Africa with the MAX jets.
The 737 MAX will allow Air Senegal to launch new routes to Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas, as well as serve secondary European cities directly, helping passengers save time by bypassing major hubs.
“This acquisition marks a major milestone for Air Sénégal. This order is part of Air Sénégal’s strategy to strengthen and modernize its fleet in order to support the expansion of its regional and intercontinental network and reinforce Dakar’s position as a leading aviation hub in West Africa,” said chief executive officer Tidiane Ndiaye.
Emirates to Offer Free Starlink Wi-Fi
Emirates has unveiled a major connectivity upgrade at the Dubai Airshow, announcing that it will equip its entire in-service fleet with Starlink high-speed Wi-Fi. The rollout will begin with the Boeing 777 in November 2025, with the first commercial flight departing immediately after the Airshow on aircraft A6-EPF.
Installations will progress at a pace of approximately 14 aircraft per month, with the Airbus A380 programme commencing in early 2026 and full fleet activation targeted for mid-2027.
In total, 232 aircraft, including Boeing 777 and A380 fleets, will receive the complimentary, ultra-fast Starlink service. The airline has already fitted A6-EPF, its 777-300ER, on display at the Airshow, giving visitors a chance to test the high-speed connection on the ground. Emirates also plans to install two antennae on each 777 and an industry-first three antennae on each A380, ensuring maximum capacity, coverage, and performance across all cabin classes.
“We’re introducing the world’s fastest Wi-Fi, elevating what passengers can expect from in-flight connectivity, like seamless productivity, real-time communication with loved ones, and uninterrupted connection to their digital lives,” said Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline.
Helvetic Airways Orders Up to Eight Embraer E-Jets
Swiss carrier Helvetic Airways has placed a firm order for three Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, with five additional purchase rights. The first delivery is scheduled for late 2026, with each aircraft featuring 134-seat single-class configurations and Recaro seating.
This order will grow Helvetic’s E2 fleet from 12 to potentially 20 aircraft, making it one of the leading European operators of Embraer E-Jets.
“We are proud to deepen our partnership with Embraer through this further order for the E2. This order supports our modern fleet strategy and sustainability goals while maintaining operational flexibility across Europe. It will also enhance our ability to serve various European customers through our ACMI operations,” said Tobias Pogorevc, CEO of Helvetic Airways.
Helvetic Airways originally entered the E2 programme in 2018 and currently operates eight E190-E2s, four E195-E2s, four E190s, and four E195s.
Air Côte d’Ivoire Orders Four Embraer E175 Jets
Air Côte d’Ivoire ordered four Embraer E175 jets, with eight additional purchase rights, as part of its fleet modernization and regional expansion. The aircraft will feature a 76-seat, two-class layout, comprising 12 Business Class seats and 64 Economy seats.
The first delivery is expected in the first half of 2027, and the order will be added to Embraer’s Q4 2025 backlog. The E175s will operate on domestic and regional routes, supporting the airline’s goal to grow its network, feed its Abidjan hub, and gradually replace its turboprop fleet.
“This order marks a significant step in our fleet development strategy. The Embraer E175 performance and comfort will allow us to offer a superior passenger experience, while supporting our growth and the development of our Abidjan hub. It also enables us to gradually phase out our turboprop fleet,” said Laurent Loukou, Chief Executive Officer of Air Côte d’Ivoire.
flydubai Selects GE Aerospace to Power Its Boeing 787
flydubai has signed an agreement with GE Aerospace for 60 GEnx-1B engines to equip its upcoming fleet of 30 Boeing 787-9 aircraft, marking the carrier’s first foray into widebody operations. The deal, announced at the Dubai Airshow 2025, also includes spare engines and a long-term services agreement to support the launch of flydubai’s long-haul network.
CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith noted that the engines will play a central role in the airline’s expansion strategy, allowing the carrier to increase capacity on existing routes and extend services to new long-haul destinations.
“The performance and durability of our engines play an integral role in the success of our operations and fleet expansion plans, especially as we prepare to welcome the Boeing 787 aircraft to our fleet in the coming years. We look forward to a long and successful partnership with GE Aerospace as we embark on the next chapter of growth,” said Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai.
The agreement builds on flydubai’s first widebody order of 30 Boeing 787-9s, placed at the 2023 Dubai Airshow, enabling the airline to diversify its all-737 fleet and meet evolving passenger demand with long-range aircraft.