Emirates airline announces $52b order for 95 Boeing planes

Emirates airline announced a $52 billion order for 95 Boeing planes on Monday in the biggest sale so far at the Dubai Airshow.

A purchase of 55 Boeing 777-9s and 35 777-8s comes alongside an upgrade to an existing order for 30 787 Dreamliners, which rises to 35.

"This order represents a significant investment that demonstrates Dubai's commitment to the future of aviation," Emirates CEO Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum told a press conference.

Separately, budget carrier flydubai announced an order for 30 Boeing 787-9s. With the latest deal, Emirates' order book rises to 295 planes including 205 777X aircraft. The Middle East's biggest airline also ordered 202 GE9X engines to power its 777X fleet. The 777-9s are expected for delivery in 2025 and the 777-8s are scheduled for 2030, Sheikh Ahmed said.

Boeing Co. Vice President Stan Deal (L), Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed and General Electric Co. CEO Lawrence Culp Jr. sign a $52 billion deal. Sheikh Hamdan watches from behind them. AP

Also at the Dubai Airshow on Monday, Boeing announced an order of 45 737 MAX aircraft from budget carrier SunExpress, while speculation is swirling about Turkish Airlines after reports it is poised to book about 350 aircraft.

Emirates flight crew wait by passenger seats inside an Airbus A380-800 jetliner aircraft during the Dubai Airshow 2023. AFP

A bumper week of deals would underline the sector's recovery from the Covid pandemic, which caused havoc in the sector as international travel ground to a halt.

A Boeing 777-9 jetliner aircraft is pictured on the tarmac during the 2023 Dubai Airshow at Dubai World Central — Al Maktoum International Airport. AFP

Last week Emirates Group announced record half-year net profits of Dhs10.1 billion ($2.7 billion), up 138 per cent from a year earlier, driven by strong demand.

The company unveiled record annual profits of $3 billion in May.