Wedoany.com Report-Nov. 18, Boeing took the spotlight on Monday at the opening day of the Dubai Airshow, securing a $38 billion order from Emirates and completing additional agreements with African airlines. The event, held at Al Maktoum International Airport, attracted thousands of visitors to aircraft and aerospace displays. The airshow has historically been a venue for major commercial announcements, reflecting the region’s long-term development of tourism and air transport.

A man boards an Emirates plane displayed at the Dubai Airshow, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, November 17, 2025.

Dubai-based Emirates said it would purchase an additional 65 Boeing 777-9 aircraft, reinforcing its role as the largest global buyer of wide-body jets. The order increases Emirates’ total commitment to the 777X family to 270 aircraft. Although the 777-9 programme has experienced delivery delays, analysts noted that the new deal might include adjustments related to earlier setbacks. Emirates CEO Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said: “It is a long-term commitment that supports hundreds of thousands of high-value factory jobs.”

Boeing confirmed further orders from African carriers. Ethiopian Airlines will acquire 11 additional 737 MAX 8 aircraft, while Air Senegal plans to purchase nine 737 MAX jets, with options for six more. Embraer reported new orders from Air Cote d'Ivoire and Helvetica, and the company suggested that continued sales could support higher production levels.

Airbus did not announce major activity on Monday but is expected to secure a substantial portion of an upcoming flydubai order, according to information cited by Reuters. Freighters also remain in demand as airlines continue modernising their fleets.

Meanwhile, China’s COMAC presented its C919 aircraft in the Middle East for the first time, expanding its global marketing efforts. Although both the C909 and C919 are progressing in international outreach, they still lack certain key certifications from Western regulators. Analysts believe COMAC’s global market share will grow gradually and primarily through cooperation with supportive regions.

Emirates has also backed a feasibility study for Boeing to develop a larger variant of the 777X, known as the 777-10. The aircraft family is running seven years behind schedule after Boeing recorded a recent $4.9 billion charge and announced another delay to 2027. In a recent podcast hosted by The National, Emirates President Tim Clark said he hoped Boeing or Airbus would build larger versions of their long-haul jets. He also commented that the companies are “very risk-averse.”

Airbus Commercial Aircraft CEO Christian Scherer said the company is studying a larger version of the A350. Before that, Airbus aims to address Emirates’ requested improvements to the existing A350-1000, which the carrier has not ordered due to maintenance concerns. Scherer said he is confident Emirates will support the A350-1000 once the upgrades are demonstrated, leaving open the possibility for further development of the A350 family. Emirates continues to express support for the A350-900.