Emirates and Ethiopian Airlines are moving closer to potential deals with Airbus for the purchase of A350 jets after productive talks with engine maker Rolls-Royce at the Dubai Airshow. Emirates is considering buying dozens of A350-1000 jets, while Ethiopian Airlines is expected to announce an order for around 10 A350-900 jets. The discussions focused on performance, guarantees, and service pricing.
Boeing secured a major order at the Dubai Airshow as Ethiopian Airlines agreed to purchase 11 Boeing 787 Dreamliner jets and 20 737 MAX airplanes, with an option for additional purchases. This marks the largest purchase of Boeing airplanes by an African company. Emirates Airline also dealt a blow to rival Airbus by ordering 95 of Boeing's widebody jets, including 55 Boeing 777-9s, 35 777-8 jets, and five 787 planes. FlyDubai also announced plans to purchase 30 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, while SunExpress committed to purchasing up to 90 Boeing 737 aircraft. Meanwhile, Emirates signaled it will hold off on new Airbus A350 orders due to concerns over the engine supplied by Rolls-Royce.
Ethiopian Airlines has placed an order for up to 67 Boeing jets, including 31 firm orders and 36 options. The order includes more Boeing 787-9s and 737 MAX 8s, with the 737 MAX likely becoming Ethiopian's sole narrow body jet. The airline's wide body fleet will remain varied, with investments in both the A350 and 787, in addition to continuing to fly existing 777s.
Ethiopian Airlines has agreed to purchase 11 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 20 737 MAX airplanes, with the potential for an additional 36 jets. This represents the largest-ever purchase of Boeing airplanes by an African carrier. The order will enable Ethiopian Airlines to modernize and expand its fleet, supporting its growth plan and commitment to environmentally conscious decisions. The airline currently operates over 80 Boeing jets and has the largest Dreamliner fleet in Africa. The new order will further strengthen its position in the market.
