We’ve come to Day 3 of the Dubai Air Show, with plenty of orders and announcements being made, with some orders going in as we head into the tail end of the show.
Let’s see what’s be sold or memo’d to be sold
Airbus
Silk Way West Airlines signs for two A350F
Silk Way West Airlines has signed a firm contract for an additional two A350F freighter aircraft. The agreement, which takes the total order to four A350Fs
Wolfgang Meier, President of Silk Way West Airlines.
“We are delighted to extend our partnership with Airbus on the A350F programme. This order, bringing our total commitment to four aircraft, marks a major milestone in our company’s growth and reflects our confidence in the future of sustainable air freight. The A350F will strengthen our leading position in the global air freight market as we continue to modernise our fleet and reduce our carbon footprint,”
Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business, added:
“This repeat order from Silk Way West Airlines, the largest cargo airline in the Caspian Sea region, is a great vote of confidence at a time when the A350F is physically taking shape in our assembly lines. The A350F will ensure the airline maintains its leading position in the global air freight market and further enables its key role in developing Azerbaijan as a major global cargo hub at the heart of the Silk Road,”
Buraq Air to become a new Airbus customer
Buraq Air, the first private Libyan airline, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the purchase of 10 A320neo Family aircraft. In th process they will become a new Airbus custoemr becoming a new Airbus customer.
In Quotes
Fouzi Almiqalh, General Assembly President of Buraq Air
“This agreement represents a significant step forward for Buraq Air as we continue to modernise our fleet and serve more destinations. The A320neo’s efficiency and flexibility will not only be central to strengthening our core network but will also provide a seamless platform for Medsky Airways, our key strategic partner, to jointly enhance passenger offering across both our carriers”
Benoit de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business.
“We are delighted to welcome Buraq Air as a new Airbus customer of the A320 Family and we thank them for their confidence. This agreement reinforces the A320neo as the aircraft of choice for fleet modernisation and we are dedicated to supporting Buraq’s Air strategic expansion plan” said Benoit de Saint-Exupéry.
Emirates to add further Airbus A350-900
As well as the massive Boeing 777X order on Monday, Emirates is adding a further eight Airbus A350-900 aircraft, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB84.
This top-up order will boost the airline’s A350-900 fleet to a total of 73 units when all deliveries are completed. To date, Emirates has received delivery of 13 A350 aircraft. Emirates’ additional A350-900s ordered today are expected to be delivered during 2031.
In Quotes
HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group, said:
“The Emirates A350’s entry into service last November has given us welcome additional capacity. It has also enabled us to introduce Emirates’ latest inflight products to more customers, including our popular Premium Economy seats. We look forward working closely with Airbus on the delivery of our remaining aircraft including the new units that we have ordered today.
“Together with the additional Boeing 777-9 order announced earlier this week, Emirates now has a total of 375 units of the latest wide-body aircraft on its orderbook. This is a massive investment in our future, the future of flying better for our customers, as well as the future of aviation in terms of job and value creation.”
Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business, said:
“We are pleased to see our long-standing partner Emirates renewing its commitment to the Airbus A350, which continues to set the benchmark for long-haul travel. We look forward to supporting Emirates as it expands its operations with one of the world’s most modern widebody aircraft in the market.”
Omar Ali Adib, Senior Vice President, Customer – Middle East, Africa and Central Asia, Rolls-Royce, concluded
“Today’s announcement is testament to the confidence in the Trent XWB-84, exclusively powering the Airbus A350-900. The Trent XWB-84 has been setting the industry benchmark for large aero-engines for ten years, demonstrating outstanding durability and low fuel consumption, making it the ideal platform to support Emirates and its expansion. We extend our gratitude to Emirates for their continued trust in Rolls-Royce and are proud to continue our long-standing relationship,”
Boeing
More 737 MAXs for flydubai
flydubai announced that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for its fourth 737 MAX purchase. The agreement for 75 orders and 75 options.
The Dubai-based carrier said the 737 MAX’s fuel efficiency, range and reliability to enable its network expansion, which now spans over 135 destinations.
The new deal allows flydubai to take advantage of the 737 MAX family’s flexibility and commonality, while leveraging the unique size and range of the 737-8, 737-9, and 737-10 models to suit its growing business.
flydubai currently operates 96 Boeing 737 aircraft.
In Quotes
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of flydubai, commented:
“We are pleased to announce a new aircraft order agreement with Boeing. Looking ahead, proactive fleet planning is essential to ensuring we are well-placed to meet the rising demand for travel, a demand we are confident will continue to grow. Anticipating future needs is a defining factor in the success of any airline and today’s announcement reflects our commitment to that principle,” said
We are proud to place another 737 MAX order with Boeing, a trusted partner that has played a key role in growing our network to its current scale. Reliable aircraft availability and timely deliveries are vital to the ongoing growth of our industry, and this agreement ensures we remain well-positioned for future growth, adding to the fleet as well as replacing current aircraft. I want to thank our team for their dedication and hard work. Their efforts, combined with Dubai‘s ambitious vision for the years ahead, fuel our optimism and enthusiasm for what lies ahead, including playing a key role Dubai World Central’s expansion plans.”
Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, added
“flydubai is one of the world’s first 737 MAX operators and their plan to place yet another order – their fourth order to date – reflects the 737 MAX’s market-leading value and versatility,”
“We are proud that Boeing airplanes will continue to serve as the backbone of flydubai’s strategic fleet and growth plans.”
Onto IFE and Connectivity, with some announcements from the show.
Panasonic Avionics
flydubai signs with Panasonic for a full IFE solution for its Boeing 787-9.
Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic Avionics) announced that its Astrova in-flight entertainment (IFE) solution has been selected by flydubai for its upcoming Boeing 787-9 fleet for 30 aircraft.
Astrova will bring 4K OLED HDR10+ displays that provide stunning, cinema-quality visuals and premium audio powered by Panasonic Avionics’ latest Bluetooth technology. A mix of Astrova monitor sizes will be used across flydubai’s cabins, including 22 inches in Business Class.
Passengers will also benefit from up to 67 W of USB-C power at every seat.
This will all be powered by Panasonic’s Avionics Converix, an innovative, open and neutral application hosting platform, which provides flydubai with a complete aircraft-wide solution for non-safety critical services. On each flydubai aircraft, Converix will support all of the in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) integration, cabin and galley operations, lighting and other in-cabin applications. flydubai will also be able to use the platform to monitor aircraft data, improve crew operations, manage cabin inventories and optimise aircraft maintenance.
In Quotes
Daniel Kerrison, SVP of Inflight Operations at flydubai, said:
“Choosing Panasonic’s Astrova inflight entertainment system is a natural extension of our commitment to innovation and our focus on delivering an elevated customer experience. Astrova gives us the platform to offer richer content, smarter personalisation, and a more intuitive yet familiar interface that truly elevates the journey. We’re excited to bring this next generation of inflight entertainment to our customers on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner when it joins our fleet.”
Hernan Abbes, Vice President of Global Sales at Panasonic Avionics, said:
“We are excited to support flydubai as it enhances the passenger experience across its fleet. Astrova has been designed to deliver a fully immersive and unparalleled entertainment experience, while Converix will enable flydubai to maximise digital engagement, drive loyalty economics and improve operational efficiencies. We are proud that Panasonic Avionics’ solutions will play a key role in helping one of the fastest growing airlines in the Middle East deliver the highest levels of service, comfort, and engagement to its passengers.”
Viasat
Azerbaijan Airlines selects Viasat Amara to provide in-flight connectivity
Viasat and Azerbaijan Airlines, the national carrier of Azerbaijan, have officially signed a strategic agreement to introduce high-speed, streaming-capable in-flight Wi-Fi across the airline’s new fleet.
Under the agreement, Azerbaijan Airlines will equip twenty new aircraft—including Airbus A320 family and Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner models—with Viasat Amara, the company’s next-generation in-flight connectivity (IFC) solution. The system is engineered to deliver a high-quality, streaming-capable internet experience powered by advanced satellite network design, state-of-the-art hardware, and a suite of digital products.
The collaboration will also introduce a wireless in-flight entertainment (W/IFE) platform, providing passengers with a rich library of content directly accessible on their personal devices. The first connected aircraft have already entered service
Azerbaijan Airlines will offer in-flight Wi-Fi for free to its Business Class passengers and top-tier loyalty members.
In Quotes
Don Buchman, President, Aviation, Viasat, said:
“We’re proud to partner with Azerbaijan Airlines as they bring high-speed, streaming-capable in-flight Wi-Fi to their passengers for the first time,”
“With Viasat Amara, they will be delivering a premium digital experience in the sky. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to innovation and elevating the passenger journey.”
Samir Rzayev, President of Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC, added:
“Cooperation with Viasat marks another significant step for Azerbaijan Airlines in enhancing onboard service. Signing this agreement at Dubai Airshow highlights the international importance of the project and our commitment to innovation.
With the introduction of high-speed Wi-Fi, we will offer passengers a new level of comfort and connectivity during their journey,”
Boeing takes the Quantity, whilst Airbus expands its customer base
After yesterday’s order of Airbus A321neos by flydubai, Boeing will be happy it pulled back at least 75 more 737 MAXs from the airline, given that it is a Boeing operation primarily. With the 737-10 being delayed, it seemed that flydubai had nowhere else to turn to gain access to high passenger count aircraft.
Airbus will be a little bit happy with Silk Way adding a tag on order, whilst Buraq Air will be another new customer. However, I suspect Airbus would have preferred an order for the Airbus A350-1000, rather than a small follow-on order for the A350-900.
Maybe Emirates needs to place a flexible order to drive forward an A350-1100 programme…
With further IFE and connectivity announcements, it has been a busy show so far.
As we enter the tail end of the show, things might calm down. We’ll be keeping an eye on the announcements during the day – and if something is interesting, we’ll be sure to bring you another daily digest.
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