The momentum at Dubai Airshow 2025 continued to soar on Day 3, as leading airlines and aerospace companies announced major fleet expansions, strategic alliances, and sustainability-driven initiatives.
READ: Dubai Airshow 2025: Historic eVTOL flight and $52bn Boeing Deal
From Silk Way West Airlines’ extended A350F order and Emirates’ SAF partnership with ENOC Group, to new deals from Buraq Air, Centrum Air, and further aircraft commitments from Emirates, the third day of the show underscored global aviation’s strong recovery, ongoing fleet renewal, and rising focus on environmental goals.
Here’s a full round-up of all the major announcements making headlines from Day 3 in Dubai.
Dubai Airshow 2025 Day 3: Top Stories
Silk Way West Airlines orders two additional A350F freighters
Silk Way West Airlines based in Baku, Azerbaijan has signed a firm contract for an additional two A350F freighter aircraft. The agreement, which takes the total order to four A350Fs, forms the backbone of Silk Way West Airlines’ fleet modernisation and expansion strategy.
READ: Dubai Airshow 2025 Day 2: Highlights and key announcements
“We are delighted to extend our partnership with Airbus on the A350F programme. This order, bringing our total commitment to four aircraft, marks a major milestone in our company’s growth and reflects our confidence in the future of sustainable air freight. The A350F will strengthen our leading position in the global air freight market as we continue to modernise our fleet and reduce our carbon footprint,” said Wolfgang Meier, President of Silk Way West Airlines.
“This repeat order from Silk Way West Airlines, the largest cargo airline in the Caspian Sea region, is a great vote of confidence at a time when the A350F is physically taking shape in our assembly lines. The A350F will ensure the airline maintains its leading position in the global air freight market and further enables its key role in developing Azerbaijan as a major global cargo hub at the heart of the Silk Road,” said Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business.
Etihad Cargo expands freighter capabilities with additional A350F Orders
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.”
Emirates and ENOC Group sign MoU to explore Sustainable Aviation Fuel supply in Dubai
Emirates and ENOC Group have today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore and develop joint initiatives for the supply of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to Emirates at its Dubai hub.
The MoU was signed on the sidelines of the Dubai Airshow by Adel Al Redha, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Operating Officer and Hussain Sultan Lootah, Acting CEO of ENOC Group.
The MoU creates a framework for feasibility studies to assess SAF supply opportunities in Dubai, including supply chain infrastructure, production capabilities, and commercial viability. The collaboration aims to explore pathways for developing economically feasible SAF production and supply infrastructure in Dubai, with ENOC evaluating its potential contribution to local production. A joint steering committee will guide the evaluation.
Adel Al Redha, Deputy President and Chief Operating Officer said: “Emirates continues to explore ways to integrate sustainable aviation fuel adoption in our operations, and this partnership with ENOC represents an important step in that journey. Establishing reliable SAF supply in our Dubai hub is a key priority, and this collaboration allows us to assess the most viable pathways for integration. We recognise there’s significant work ahead to address supply constraints and infrastructure requirements, but partnerships like this are essential to identifying practical solutions and building the foundation for broader SAF accessibility in Dubai and eventually across our network.”
Hussain Sultan Lootah, Acting CEO of ENOC Group said, “At ENOC, we recognise the critical role that Sustainable Aviation Fuel plays in reducing carbon emissions across the aviation sector. This MoU with Emirates reflects our shared commitment to developing local SAF production and the infrastructure needed to make low-carbon aviation a reality. As the UAE works toward supplying 1% of jet fuel to national airlines from locally produced SAF by 2031, we believe this collaboration brings us a step closer to that goal. ENOC will continue to invest in innovation, strengthen partnerships, and explore practical pathways to build reliable SAF supply chains that support the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 ambition.”
Buraq Air to become new Airbus customer with a commitment for 10 A320neo Family
Buraq Air, first private Libyan airline, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the purchase of 10 A320neo Family aircraft, becoming a new Airbus customer. The agreement was signed at the Dubai Airshow by Fouzi Almiqalh, General Assembly President of Buraq Air and Benoit de Saint Exupery, Airbus EVP Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business.
“This agreement represents a significant step forward for Buraq Air as we continue to modernise our fleet and serve more destinations. The A320neo’s efficiency and flexibility will not only be central to strengthening our core network but will also provide a seamless platform for Medsky Airways, our key strategic partner, to jointly enhance passenger offering across both our carriers” said Fouzi Almiqalh.
“We are delighted to welcome Buraq Air as a new Airbus customer of the A320 Family and we thank them for their confidence. This agreement reinforces the A320neo as the aircraft of choice for fleet modernisation and we are dedicated to supporting Buraq’s Air strategic expansion plan” said Benoit de Saint Exupery.
The A320 Family is the world’s most popular single aisle aircraft having won more than 19,000 orders globally. The Family includes the largest member, the A321neo offering unparalleled range and performance. The Family offers at least 20 percent fuel savings and CO₂ reduction compared to previous generation single-aisle aircraft, while maximising passenger comfort with one of the widest single-aisle cabins in the sky.
Emirates and Air Canada to extend strategic partnership
Emirates and Air Canada announced a commitment to expand and extend their strategic partnership, building on the success of a three-year-old agreement between two of the world’s leading airlines. Since launching their strategic partnership in 2022, the airlines have already served more than 550,000 customers, connecting travellers across 56 codeshare routes linking Canada, the U.S., Dubai and key destinations around the globe. The carriers have signed a memorandum of understanding to extend the reciprocal codeshare and loyalty partnership until December 31, 2032. The renewed agreement will deepen their cooperation, lead to enhanced services for customers and cargo shippers, and create the potential for new gateways within Canada in the codeshare network.
Avolon to lease five new aircraft to Centrum Air
Avolon, a leading global aviation finance company, has agreed to lease five Airbus A320 family aircraft to Centrum Air, a carrier launched in 2023 and Uzbekistan’s largest private airline. The transaction was announced today at the Dubai Airshow.
Avolon added Centrum Air as a customer earlier this year through the lease of an A320-200 that was delivered last month. The new aircraft are scheduled for delivery in 2026 and 2027.
Centrum Air currently flies to more than 40 domestic and international destinations including Dubai, Istanbul, Delhi, Seoul, Guangzhou, Bangkok, Phuket, and Male. The new aircraft will support Centrum Air’s route expansion and growth plans.
Avolon had 347 A320neo family aircraft on order as of 30 September 2025.
Paul Geaney, President and Chief Commercial Officer, Avolon commented: “We are delighted to strengthen our relationship with Centrum Air and to provide them with additional capacity to support their growth plans. Our large orderbook of new technology aircraft, in a market with limited available supply, provides us with exciting potential to support our customer’s plans to expand in Central Asia’s fast growing aviation market.”
Abdulaziz Abdurakhmanov, Chairman of Centrum Air commented: “We are pleased to expand our partnership with Avolon as we continue to grow our fleet and strengthen our international network. These new aircraft will play an important role in supporting our strategic plans for expansion and improving the travel experience for our passengers. This cooperation marks another milestone in Centrum Air’s long-term development.”
Emirates orders eight additional Airbus A350-900 aircraft worth US$ 3.4 billion
Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, today announced orders for 8 additional Airbus A350-900 aircraft, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB84 engines, at the Dubai Airshow 2025.
Worth US$ 3.4 billion at list prices, this top-up order will boost the airline’s A350-900 fleet to a total of 73 units when all deliveries are completed. To date, Emirates has received delivery of 13 A350 aircraft.
Emirates’ additional A350-900s ordered today are expected to be delivered during 2031.
HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group said: “The Emirates A350’s entry into service last November has given us welcome additional capacity. It has also enabled us to introduce Emirates’ latest inflight products to more customers, including our popular Premium Economy seats. We look forward working closely with Airbus on the delivery of our remaining aircraft including the new units that we have ordered today.
“Together with the additional Boeing 777-9 order announced earlier this week, Emirates now has a total of 375 units of the latest wide-body aircraft on its orderbook. This is a massive investment in our future, the future of flying better for our customers, as well as the future of aviation in terms of job and value creation.”
