FlyDubai Orders 75 Boeing 737 MAX Jets ($13B) as Emirates Adds A350s — Major Fleet Moves Fuel Dubai Airport Expansion

FlyDubai, the lower-cost sister carrier of Emirates, has ordered 75 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in a deal valued at about $13 billion, with options for an additional 75 jets. The announcement came at the Dubai Air Show alongside Emirates' purchase of eight Airbus A350-900s at a list price of $3.4 billion.

Major airframe purchases at the Dubai Air Show

The FlyDubai MAX order follows an earlier, headline-making purchase by the carrier of 150 Airbus A321neo aircraft for roughly $24 billion — a notable development because FlyDubai, which began operations in 2009, previously operated only Boeing 737-family aircraft. FlyDubai and Boeing released the MAX order in statements rather than at a news conference. Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said: “We are proud that Boeing airplanes will continue to serve as the backbone of FlyDubai’s strategic fleet and growth plans.”

Emirates' A350 purchase comes as the airline integrates the type into a fleet dominated by double-deck Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s. Earlier in the week, Emirates ordered 65 Boeing 777-9s at a list price of $38 billion, bringing its total backlog of the latest wide-body aircraft to 375 units, according to Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, who chairs both FlyDubai and Emirates.

Why the orders matter

Sheikh Ahmed said proactive fleet planning is essential to meeting growing travel demand and reflected the carriers’ long-term strategy for network expansion. The combined purchases are set to support route growth, replacement of older aircraft, and the carriers’ planned move of many operations to Al Maktoum International (DWC) in the coming decade.

Dubai airports and capacity plans

Dubai International Airport (DXB) reported 70.1 million passengers year-to-date and a rolling 12-month total of 93.8 million as of the end of September. Those figures underscore Dubai’s role as a major East–West aviation hub and strengthen the case for a $35 billion expansion at Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), a five-runway project designed to handle up to 150 million passengers annually. Officials expect some operations to begin shifting to DWC around 2032.

Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, described the expansion as a vast international effort in technology, systems and infrastructure: “This is going to be a massive effort of international cooperation from so many countries around the world providing all of the advanced systems,” he said. Griffiths also highlighted plans to expand biometric processing and other passenger-flow innovations now used at DXB, aiming for seamless check-in, baggage handling, immigration and security.

Financing and industry impact

UK Export Finance issued an expression of interest for up to $3.5 billion in support for DWC construction, intended to back British suppliers of equipment and services. Industry observers say the aircraft orders, airport expansion and supporting finance commitments will generate jobs, boost aerospace and construction demand, and shape route maps for the two state-owned carriers for years to come.

Key facts:

• FlyDubai: 75 Boeing 737 MAX ordered (options for 75 more), deal ~ $13 billion.
• FlyDubai earlier: 150 Airbus A321neo jets (~ $24 billion).
• Emirates: 8 Airbus A350-900s (~ $3.4 billion) and 65 Boeing 777-9s (~ $38 billion) ordered earlier in the week.
• DXB year-to-date passengers: 70.1 million; rolling 12-month total: 93.8 million (end of September).
• DWC expansion: $35 billion project planned to handle up to 150 million passengers annually; phased move expected around 2032.

This article summarizes official statements and public data released by the airlines and airport authorities. Quotes attributed to Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Paul Griffiths and Stephanie Pope reflect their comments on fleet strategy, airport planning and manufacturers’ roles.