Will Emirates, Etihad, flydubai place record aircraft orders?

WITH BACKLOGS MOUNTING, AIRLINES EYE SMART AND FLEXIBLE FLEET DEALS

- BY DHANUSHA GOKULAN

As this year’s Dubai Airshow opens, UAE and other Middle Eastern carriers are showing pragmatism rather than extravagance.

While the event has often been synonymous with mega plane deals, industry leaders and aviation analysts suggest 2025 will be about careful timing and strategic fleet planning over headline-grabbing orders.

“Dubai is normally a widebody show, but most carriers have already addressed their replacement needs,” said Gediminas Ziemelis, chairman of Avia Solutions Group told Gulf News. “Given Airbus and Boeing’s multiyear backlogs, this Airshow will be about securing early delivery slots rather than adding huge new commitments,” he explained.

The approach signals a shift from past editions where Gulf giants such as Emirates and Etihad secured large widebody deals. This year, airlines are instead aiming to lock in positions on constrained production lines as both planemakers battle supply chain delays and engine shortages.