Egypt’s flag carrier, EgyptAir, has placed an order for ten Airbus A350-900 widebody jets. The announcement came during the Dubai Airshow 2023. Each aircraft ordered will have a 340-seating capacity, ambient lighting, the Airbus AirSpace cabin and be powered by Rolls-Royce XWB Trent engines. The new fleet of A350-900s will enable EgyptAir to open nonstop routes towards the western USA and the Far East.

The Airbus A350 family is one of the most efficient widebody aeroplanes in the world. Based on the derivative and configuration, an A350 can fly 310-400 passengers for up to 9,700 nautical miles (17,964km).

Also Read: airBaltic Extends Order For Airbus A220

In addition to this order, EgyptAir also struck a lease deal with Air Lease Corporation (ALC) for 18 new Boeing 737-8 aircraft. It is the first deal between the two parties. The single-aisle jets, fetched from ALC’s order book with the American aircraft manufacturer, will be delivered to EgyptAir between 2025 and 2026.

Dubai-based carrier Emirates has announced an investment of USD 950 million into building a new engineering facility located at Dubai World Central (DWC). The engineering complex will cover a 1 million sq.m real estate and, as per the airline, “will be the largest and most advanced of its kind”. While the primary purpose of this upcoming facility will be to support Emirates’ operations into the 2040s, its services will also be open to other airlines.

The kind of services that the new engineering hub will offer include routine aircraft checks, bespoke paint jobs, light to heavy maintenance programmes, engine repair and testing, full cabin interior fit-outs and aircraft conversions. A phase-wise build-and-deliver approach makes the most sense for such a massive project. So, post the completion of phase one, the engineering complex will have eight maintenance hangers and one paint hanger (supporting all commercial aircraft up to an Airbus A380), an engine run-up facility, about 20 support workshops, storage facilities and administration offices.

Also Read: Dubai Airshow 2023: Emirates Orders 95 Boeing Jets

Emirates confirms that its existing engineering centre at Dubai International Airport (DXB) will continue to support the airline operations as is, while the upcoming facility at DWC will initially handle spillover work and heavy maintenance jobs, which require longer aircraft ground time.

Dubai-headquartered firm ArcosJet DMCC has announced the purchase of ten electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) jets from Lilium. These are likely to be delivered through 2026 and 2027. And since ArcosJet is an exclusive authorised dealer for private sales of Lilium Jets, customers in the Middle East will soon be able to order one.

The first model planned for production is called the Lilium Pioneer Edition Jet. It has a seating capacity of four and can travel nonstop for up to 17km at speeds of up to 250kmph. The aircraft maker confirms that the first manned flight is scheduled for late next year, while the type certification is expected in late 2025. Production will commence once those two stages have been completed.

At the ongoing Dubai Airshow 2023, ArcosJet and Lilium have set up a full-scale mockup for the Lilium Jet’s interior. Visitors can find them at stand 84.

Also Read: airBaltic Extends Order For Airbus A220

At the ongoing Dubai Airshow 2023, Boeing and Royal Air Maroc confirmed a repeat order concerning the 787 Dreamliner. That underlines the two 787-9s in the carrier’s orderbook as it aims to grow its widebody fleet.

Over the last nine years, Royal Air Maroc has added a mix of Beoing’s 787-8s and 787-9s to increase its worldwide presence. The national carrier of Morocco, which currently operates nine Dreamliners, has an expansive network. It operates flights to 82 destinations in 41 territories, covering Europe, Africa, North America and the Middle East. The airline’s fleet also includes Boeing’s 737s, serving short- and medium-haul routes.

Also Read: Dubai Airshow 2023: Royal Jordanian Extends Order For 787s

Latvia’s flag carrier, airBaltic, has extended its order with Airbus concerning the A220 aircraft. The airline has ordered an additional thirty A220-300 jets, taking the backlog of firm orders to 80 for the same aircraft. With forty-four A220-300s in its fleet already, airBaltic is currently the world’s largest operator of this type of single-aisle aeroplane.

The carrier was the launch customer for the Airbus A220-300. Its latest avatar can carry between 120 and 150 passengers on flights of up to 3,450 nautical miles (6,390km). And like all other Airbus aircraft, the A220 is already capable of operating with up to 50 per cent Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

Jordan’s flag carrier, Royal Jordanian, has placed an order for four more Boeing 787-9s at the ongoing Dubai Airshow 2023. This is in addition to a previous order for two 787-9 Dreamliners, taking the backlog up to six. Furthermore, the airline has also inked an agreement with Boeing Global Services. It is for modification services for the already in-service 787s. According to the agreement, Boeing will perform the engineering work and supply kits for modifications that will improve in-flight connectivity for passengers and crew.

As per Boeing, the 787-9 Dreamliner can fly 296 passengers for up to 14,010km (7,565 nautical miles) nonstop. Royal Jordanian was the first airline to order a Boeing 787 Dreamliner in the Middle East. This happened 16 years ago.

Also Read: Dubai Airshow 2023: flydubai Orders Thirty 787-9s

American aircraft manufacturer Boeing has bagged an order for thirty 787-9 Dreamliners from flydubai. The order, which amounts to USD 11 billion, was announced at the ongoing Dubai Airshow 2023. The latest order from the Dubai-based airline is its first for widebody jets, as it plans to diversify its fleet. The new addition will allow the Dubai-based carrier to fly more people over longer and new routes. The Boeing 787-9 can seat 296 passengers and fly 14,010km (7,565 nautical miles) without a stop.

This is the fourth aircraft order from the carrier since its inception in 2008. flydubai presently has an all-Boeing 737 fleet of 79 jets. The backlog for the single-aisle aircraft currently stands at 137.

Also Read: Dubai Airshow 2023: Emirates Orders 95 Boeing Jets

At the ongoing Dubai Airshow 2023, Emirates and Boeing have confirmed that the former has placed an order for 95 new widebody jets from the latter. The order includes fifty-five 777-9s, thirty-five 777-8s and five 787 Dreamliners. Furthermore, the Dubai-based carrier is converting thirty 787-9s to twenty 787-8s and ten 787-10s.

Also Read: Dubai Airshow 2023: SunExpress To Buy Up To 90 Boeing Jets

With the latest order, Emirates’ backlogs for Boeing’s 777X and 787 Dreamliners rise to 205 and 35, respectively. The two companies have been doing business since the early 90s. Presently, the airline has nearly 150 Boeing 777 aircraft in its fleet. In fact, Emirates is the world’s largest 777 operator.

The 777-9 is touted to become the world’s most fuel-efficient twin-engine widebody jet. It can carry up to 429 passengers in a typical two-class layout and fly nonstop for 13,510km (7,295 nautical miles). On the other hand, the Boeing 777-8 seats 395 passengers and offers a range of up to 16,190km (8,745 nautical miles).

Born in 1989, SunExpress is a joint venture between Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa. At the ongoing Dubai Airshow 2023, the carrier has inked an agreement with Boeing to purchase up to 90 single-aisle jets. The paperwork specifies a firm order for twenty-eight units of 737-8 and seventeen of 737-10 and an option to buy an additional forty-five 737 Max aircraft. This new order builds on the SunExpress’ previous one for forty-two 737-8s, nine of which have been delivered by Boeing.

The Turkey-based airline will have doubled its fleet by the time the latest order is completed. Here’s what Max Kownatzki, CEO at SunExpress, said in an official statement:

Over the next decade, we will more than double our fleet, reaching a 150-aircraft fleet by 2033. Also, the addition of the 737-10, the newest 737 MAX plane with up to 230 seats, to our fleet will allow us to strengthen our capacity further. SunExpress is well-positioned for the future and will expand its network with a more fuel-efficient and environmentally sustainable aircraft fleet, while continuing to fulfill its role as Türkiye’s tourism ambassador.

Italy’s flag carrier, ITA Airways, has taken delivery of its first A321neo, on lease from Air Lease Corporation, from Airbus’ Hamburg production facility. The new jet will help the airline bolster its medium-haul routes. The aircraft has a three-class layout consisting of 12 Business Class full flat beds with direct aisle access, 12 Premium Economy seats and 141 Economy seats, of which 12 are dedicated to Comfort Economy. In addition to XL-sized overhead storage bins and full-LED lighting, every seat has an in-flight entertainment system with individual displays and on-demand content.

ITA Airways’ all-Airbus fleet currently stands at 81, including the latest-gen A220, A320neo, A330neo and A350 aircraft.