Day 2 of the Dubai Airshow 2025 delivered another wave of headline-making announcements as leading airlines, aerospace manufacturers, and aviation service providers unveiled major deals and strategic initiatives.

From widebody fleet expansions and historic firsts to advanced rotorcraft orders and sustainable aviation developments, the day reflected the sector’s continued recovery and long-term confidence. Our round-up captures the key updates, orders, and partnerships shaping the future of commercial aviation, defence, and aerospace innovation — direct from the show floor.

Dubai Airshow 2025 – Top deals and news from Day 2

Etihad Airways has announced a significant expansion of its Airbus widebody fleet by placing a firm order for six A330-900s, becoming the latest A330neo customer. In addition, the airline has disclosed an order for seven additional A350-1000s (increasing its total for the type to 27) and three A350F (bringing the airline’s A350F commitment to 10 aircraft).

The agreement was signed at the Dubai Airshow, where Etihad Airways also announced the commitment of nine A330-900s on lease from Avolon.

“These aircraft strengthen our operations across medium-haul, long-haul, and cargo. The A330neo brings the right combination of efficiency and flexibility for our regional and mid-range growth, while the A350-1000 continues to deliver exceptional performance on our long-haul network. The A350F freighter adds significant capability to our cargo division as global demand continues to expand. Our partnership with Airbus continues to play an important role in shaping our future fleet, and we are proud to be building one of the world’s most modern and efficient widebody operations.” said Antonoaldo Neves, Etihad Airways CEO.

“Etihad Airways’ continued investment in our latest-generation widebody aircraft is a testament to the strength of our partnership and the shared vision we have for the future of aviation in the UAE and beyond,” said Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business. “The combination of the A350 Family and A330neo will deliver unmatched efficiency and flexibility to Etihad’s operations, supporting its future development.”

flydubai signs a landmark agreement for 150 A321neo aircraft, becoming an Airbus customer

 flydubai has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus for 150 A321neo aircraft making the airline a new Airbus customer. The agreement underscores the carrier’s confidence in Dubai’s growth plans.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of flydubai, signed the MoU agreement with Christian Scherer, CEO Commercial Aircraft at Airbus, at the signing ceremony which was attended by Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, on the second day of the Dubai Airshow 2025.

“We are pleased to announce a landmark agreement for 150 A321neo aircraft, representing another important milestone in flydubai’s journey. This new agreement is not only about adding aircraft. It supports the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33,” said His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and CEO of flydubai.

Morocco orders ten Airbus H225M helicopters

The Kingdom of Morocco has signed a contract with Airbus Helicopters for ten H225M helicopters. The H225Ms will be equipped for combat search and rescue operations and will be operated by the Royal Moroccan Air Force (Forces royales air). They will replace the current Pumas which have been in service for more than 40 years.

“We are honoured that Morocco has chosen to replace its legacy Puma fleet with the H225M,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “This is another step in the partnership we have been building over the decades with the Kingdom of Morocco. The H225M is enjoying a strong momentum on the market. This aircraft is a reference for complex missions in tough environments. This order solidifies the H225M’s reputation as the helicopter of choice for combat search and rescue and special operations across the world.”

The Royal Moroccan Air Force H225Ms will be equipped with a double hoist installation, a searchlight and a Safran Euroflir 410 electro-optical system. They will be able to carry machine guns and an electronic warfare system for self-protection.

The contract with Airbus Helicopters also includes a support and service package with connected services.

There are more than 360 H225s and H225Ms in service around the world, totaling close to 980,000 flight hours. Military customers include France, the Netherlands, Hungary, Brazil, Mexico, Singapore,Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Iraq and Kuwait.

Ethiopian Airlines Commits to Order 11 Boeing 737 MAX Airplanes

Ethiopian Airlines and Boeing [NYSE: BA] announced today Africa’s largest carrier has committed to purchase 11 additional 737 MAX jets. The agreement for 11 B737-8, signed at the Dubai Airshow, will enable Ethiopian Airlines to grow its regional and international networks and expand its Addis Ababa hub.

“We are thrilled to be announcing our agreement with Boeing for additional11 B737-8 airplanes today during Dubai Airshow,” said Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mr. Mesfin Tasew. “The order will support our growth plans that we have set as part of our vision and strategy. We are happy that our partnership with Boeing continues to grow over the years and we look forward to flying Boeing airplanes for years to come and that we will continue to serve our customers by bringing them high performance airplanes with passenger comfort.”

The carrier leverages the reliability, efficiency, and range of its 737 MAX fleet on routes across Africa, the Middle East, India, and Southern Europe, where quick turnarounds and frequency are essential to meet passenger demand.

“Ethiopian Airlines’ commitment to expand its 737 MAX fleet underscores its leadership in Africa. Our new agreement also strengthens our nearly 80-year partnership with the airline and region,” said Brad McMullen, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing. “We are proud that our efficient and versatile airplanes will continue to play a pivotal role in Ethiopian Airlines’ growth as they further connect the African continent and the world.”

Air Europa signs MoU for up to 40 Airbus A350-900

Spanish airline Air Europa has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus for up to 40 A350-900 aircraft. The agreement forms the backbone of Air Europa’s long haul fleet replacement and was announced during  the Dubai Airshow.

The introduction of the A350 will accelerate the renewal of Air Europa’s existing competitor long haul fleet and boost profitable growth to key markets in Latin America thanks to the aircraft’s unrivalled performance and economics. Passengers will also experience exceptional best in class comfort.

“This order is a strategic milestone in Air Europa’s fleet development, accelerating its profitable growth by renewal of the current widebody fleet,” said Juan Jose Hidalgo, President of Air Europa. “The A350-900 is a game-changer for key destinations in Latin America. It provides an exceptional cabin experience and the operational performance and economics needed to expand the airline’s network without compromise, delivering the highest standards in air travel.”

“We are proud to welcome Air Europa into the Airbus A350 family. This order is a strong endorsement of the A350 as the benchmark widebody platform for efficiency and passenger comfort in the long-haul market,” said Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business. “We are committed to supporting Air Europa’s ambitious growth strategy as they leverage the A350’s capabilities for their future long-haul operations.”

JEKTA and Tahseen sign LOI to collaborate on and assess potential for amphibious operations in the GCC

JEKTA, the Switzerland-based developer of the zero-emissions PHA-ZE 100 amphibious aircraft, signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Tahseen Aviation Services, a full-service air charter innovator in the UAE, to collaborate on ascertaining the future potential of multi-purpose amphibious aviation operations across the GCC, and further into Africa and Asia.  The intent is for both parties to jointly identify, assess, and consider the potential benefits and opportunities of introducing amphibious operations across various routes with a particular focus on serving the needs of business aviation, cargo and logistics, and oil field services (OFS) customers in the region.

JEKTA is developing the Passenger Hydro Aircraft – Zero Emissions 100 (PHA-ZE 100), a sustainable amphibious aircraft that delivers multiple operating applications. Flexible enough to operate from and to water, paved and unpaved runways, it supports cost-efficient, direct, and comfortable transfer to and from the region’s luxury hotels and resorts, business hubs, and oil and gas fields, whether deep in the desert, on a remote island, or out at sea.

“The PHA-ZE 100 amphibious aircraft is designed to operate in various types of environments, which enables multiple operating parameters. In a region as geographically and commercially diverse as the GCC, we know it will add real value to the region’s transport network at a time when land infrastructure is struggling to keep pace with expansion demand,” says George Alafinov, CEO, JEKTA. “We are excited that Tahseen is aligned with JEKTA in the establishment and incorporation of sustainable amphibious operations. This provides us with the opportunity to share the benefits of amphibious aviation and integrate with key stakeholders influencing the region’s future aerospace sector.”

Sanad and Abu Dhabi Airports Ink Long-Term Musataha Agreement to Anchor the UAE’s Aerospace Future in Al Ain

Sanad, the global aerospace engineering and leasing leader wholly owned by Abu Dhabi’s sovereign investor Mubadala Investment Company PJSC (Mubadala), today announced the signing of a long-term Musataha agreement, a land lease arrangement granting development rights, with Abu Dhabi Airports (ADAC), the UAE’s premier airport operator, during the Dubai Airshow 2025.

Valued at approximately the 50-year agreement secures two plots totaling 70,000 square meters within the Al Ain Aerospace Park. The strategically located sites will form the foundation of Sanad’s next-generation aerospace developments, including the MRO center for the Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engine, the twin 12×12 test cell complex, and future expansion initiatives.

The signing ceremony took place at the Dubai Airshow 2025 and was signed by Mansoor Janahi, Managing Director and Group CEO of Sanad, and Elena Sorlini, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports, in the presence of Dr. Bakheet Al Katheeri from Mubadala Investment Company and Eleni Sorlini from Abu Dhabi Airports.

This milestone agreement further strengthens Al Ain’s position as a center of excellence for aviation and supports the Abu Dhabi Industrial Strategy to establish the Emirate as a global hub for aerospace and advanced manufacturing. Together, Sanad and ADAC are driving the UAE’s long-term vision to build a world-class aerospace ecosystem that fuels sustainable industrial growth and innovation-led diversification.

Ethiopian Airlines strengthens its position as Africa’s largest A350 operator with order for six additional A350-900s

Ethiopian Airlines has placed a firm order for six Airbus A350-900 aircraft, further strengthening its position as the largest A350 customer in Africa. This agreement was signed at the Dubai Airshow by Mr. Mesfin Tasew, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO and Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business .

“We are delighted to expand our Airbus fleet size with this order and strengthen our partnership with the Airbus company. As the continent’s leading airline and the largest operator of the A350, this milestone order further supports our vision to grow sustainably while providing a world-class travel experience to our passengers and strengthening our position as the aviation leader in Africa.” said Mr. Mesfin Tasew.

“We are proud to further deepen our partnership with Ethiopian Airlines, a long-standing Airbus customer and a benchmark for aviation excellence in Africa. The A350’s state-of-the-art technology, efficiency and versatility will bring even greater value to Ethiopian’s operations,” said Benoit de Saint-Exupéry.

​The A350 is the world’s most modern widebody aircraft, designed to fly up to 9,700 nautical miles / 18,000 kilometres non-stop, setting new standards for intercontinental travel. The aircraft includes state-of-the-art technologies and aerodynamics delivering unmatched standards of efficiency and comfort. Its latest generation Rolls-Royce engines and use of lightweight materials bring a 25 per cent advantage in fuel burn, operating costs and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, compared to previous generation competitor aircraft. The A350’s unique Airspace cabin offers passengers and crews the latest modern in-flight products for a comfortable flying experience.

Emirates wins ULTRAs ‘Best Airline in the World’ award for 8th year in a row

Emirates has been voted ‘Best Airline in the World’ for the 8th consecutive year, at the esteemed ULTRAs travel awards held in Dubai yesterday. Based on votes from Ultratravel’s global network of 1.2 million travellers, Emirates also scooped the ‘Airline with the Best Premium Economy Class’ award, as well as a prestigious ‘Lifetime Achievement Award for Services to Global Aviation’ presented to Sir Tim Clark.

Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, said; ‘It’s an honour to celebrate our eighth year as ‘best airline in the world’ at the ULTRAs and thank you to all the travellers who gave us their vote. At Emirates, we want every customer to ‘fly better,’ and that’s why we never stop investing into the Emirates experience – to provide the very best in international air travel. Whether it’s expanding our network across the world, upgrading our aircraft through a multibillion-dollar retrofit programme, introducing new Hospitality training for cabin crew or introducing innovative technologies to facilitate seamless travel – we continue to elevate our own standards every year.’