flydubai has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus for 150 A321neo aircraft, making the airline a new Airbus customer.
H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of flydubai, signed the MoU agreement with Christian Scherer, CEO Commercial Aircraft at Airbus, in the presence of Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, during the second day of the Dubai Airshow 2025.
“This new agreement is not only about adding aircraft. It supports the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, and aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33,” said H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum.
“The A321neos will support the next phase of our network development and enable us to meet rising demand across our markets. We look forward to establishing a strong and enduring partnership between flydubai and Airbus,” he added.
“We welcome flydubai, one of the Middle East’s most ambitious and fast-growing carriers, as a new Airbus customer,” said Christian Scherer, CEO Commercial Aircraft at Airbus. “The decision to invest in and introduce the A321neo into its fleet is another endorsement of the added value Airbus brings in terms of range, efficiency and passenger comfort.”
The A321neo is part of the A320neo Family, incorporating the latest technologies, including new generation engines, Sharklets and cabin efficiency enablers, which together deliver more than 20 percent fuel savings and CO₂ reduction compared to previous generation single-aisle aircraft.
Flydubai also announced a new order for 60 GEnx-1B engines to power its first widebody fleet of 30 Boeing 787-9. The agreement, signed at the Dubai Airshow 2025, also includes spare engines and a long-term services agreement to support the carrier’s launch of long-haul operations.
The selection of GEnx-1B engines underscores flydubai's confidence in GE Aerospace’s proven technology solutions, which offer best-in-class performance, durability and fuel efficiency. Designed for robust performance and reliability, these are critical for the carrier’s sustained growth in the region’s unique operating environments.
The GE9X engine is the world’s most powerful commercial aircraft engine and the most fuel-efficient engine in its class. Available exclusively on the Boeing 777X family of 777-9 and 777-8F aircraft, the GE9X offers 10 percent better specific fuel consumption than its predecessor, the GE90-115B, with emissions that are a generation ahead in technology. It is also the most tested engine in GE Aerospace history before entry into service, including more than 1,700 dust ingestion cycles to validate durability and performance particularly in severe operating environments like the Middle East. Like all GE Aerospace commercial engines, the GE9X engine is certified to operate on approved Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blends today.
These agreements underpin flydubai’s growth strategy and the continued expansion of its network, enabling the airline to increase capacity on existing routes and meet demand from a growing passenger base. Established in 2008, flydubai has grown significantly and currently serves more than 135 destinations across 57 countries; the airline is now adding long-haul destinations to its growing network.
