The 19th Dubai Airshow opened today with more than 1,500 exhibitors and 200 aircraft on display, but industry insiders say 2025 is shaping up to be an exercise in strategic timing rather than record-shattering orders. Gulf carriers—including Emirates, Etihad and flydubai—are negotiating smaller, flexible commitments that lock in early delivery positions amid Airbus and Boeing backlogs exceeding 8,500 jets.
Analysts point out that wide-body replacement needs were largely addressed in deals signed between 2019 and 2023. This year, supply-chain bottlenecks and high interest rates are prompting airlines to blend outright purchases with ACMI leasing so they can ramp capacity without heavy capital expenditure. Flydubai is weighing a 200-jet narrow-body order, while Etihad is said to be eyeing additional A330s in lieu of a headline-grabbing mega-deal.
![Dubai Airshow opens with focus on ‘smart’ fleet deals as carriers chase scarce delivery slots]()
For corporate mobility planners, the cautious approach has two implications. First, constrained production could delay the introduction of more fuel-efficient cabins that business travellers favour. Second, leasing arrangements may give carriers room to launch niche point-to-point routes sooner, expanding nonstop options from Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
The Airshow also showcases passenger-experience technology. GDRFA Dubai is demonstrating biometric e-gates that link boarding passes to facial recognition, signalling faster immigration processing for premium travellers once deployed at DXB later next year.
Analysts point out that wide-body replacement needs were largely addressed in deals signed between 2019 and 2023. This year, supply-chain bottlenecks and high interest rates are prompting airlines to blend outright purchases with ACMI leasing so they can ramp capacity without heavy capital expenditure. Flydubai is weighing a 200-jet narrow-body order, while Etihad is said to be eyeing additional A330s in lieu of a headline-grabbing mega-deal.
For corporate mobility planners, the cautious approach has two implications. First, constrained production could delay the introduction of more fuel-efficient cabins that business travellers favour. Second, leasing arrangements may give carriers room to launch niche point-to-point routes sooner, expanding nonstop options from Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
The Airshow also showcases passenger-experience technology. GDRFA Dubai is demonstrating biometric e-gates that link boarding passes to facial recognition, signalling faster immigration processing for premium travellers once deployed at DXB later next year.
