The Dubai Air Show in November 2023 produced one of the biggest collections of aircraft orders in the event’s history, with Boeing securing deals worth more than $52 billion. The show was a clear sign that the aviation industry had returned to full confidence after the COVID-19 pandemic, with airlines ordering new jets in large numbers to meet growing passenger demand.
What happened
The Dubai Air Show, held from 13 to 17 November at Dubai World Central airport, drew airlines, manufacturers, and suppliers from around the world. Boeing was the dominant performer of the week, securing orders for nearly 300 aircraft — more than three times the number confirmed by Airbus during the same period.
The centrepiece deal was struck by Emirates, the world’s largest long-haul airline. The Dubai-based carrier agreed to purchase 55 additional Boeing 777-9s and 35 777-8s, bringing its total 777X order to 205 aircraft. The 777X is Boeing’s newest widebody jet, distinguished by its composite folding wingtips and the world’s largest commercial turbofan engines. The Emirates deal alone was valued at approximately $52 billion at list prices. Other airlines placing orders at the show included FlyNas, Air Tanzania, and Kuwait Airways.
Airbus, which had expected a major deal from Turkish Airlines, closed the show with approximately 86 confirmed orders. The two manufacturers finished the event with a combined order total that analysts described as one of the strongest performances in the show’s history.
Why it matters
The 2023 Dubai Air Show came at a significant moment for Boeing. The company had spent years managing the consequences of the 737 MAX crisis, which began with two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019 that killed 346 people. The enormous order flow in Dubai — particularly from Emirates, which had publicly expressed frustration with Boeing’s previous delivery delays — signalled that airline confidence in Boeing’s widebody products had substantially recovered.
For the wider industry, the orders reflected a transformed post-pandemic market. Global passenger numbers were approaching pre-pandemic levels, and airlines were placing large orders to build fleets capable of meeting the demand they expected in coming years. Middle Eastern carriers, in particular, had used the pandemic period to plan major network expansions and were now converting those plans into firm commitments.
What comes next
Boeing still faced the considerable challenge of expanding production to fulfil its growing backlog, which stood at more than 6,000 aircraft by the end of 2023. Deliveries of the 777X, which had been repeatedly delayed by certification and design issues, were not expected before 2025. Airbus, despite its quieter showing at the Dubai Air Show, held a record backlog of over 8,500 jets and was also under pressure to increase production rates across its narrowbody and widebody lines.
Key vocabulary:
- widebody – an aircraft with two aisles in the cabin, used on long-haul international routes; the Boeing 777X and 787 are widebody jets
- list price – the full, official catalogue price of an aircraft before any discounts are negotiated; airlines rarely pay the full list price
- order backlog – the total number of aircraft that have been ordered by airlines but not yet delivered by the manufacturer
- composite – a lightweight structural material made from components such as carbon fibre and resin, used in modern aircraft to reduce weight and improve fuel efficiency
- turbofan engine – the most common type of jet engine on commercial aircraft, which uses a large front fan to generate thrust; more fuel-efficient than older turbojet designs
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