Dubai Airshow 2025: flydubai signs major GEnx engine deal for first Boeing 787 fleet
New agreement includes spares and long-term services support
DUBAI – flydubai has signed an agreement with GE Aerospace for 60 GEnx-1B engines to power the carrier’s first widebody fleet of Boeing 787-9 aircraft.
The deal, announced at the Dubai Airshow 2025, also includes spare engines and a long-term services package designed to support the airline’s upcoming entry into long-haul markets. The order marks a major step in flydubai’s fleet expansion strategy as the carrier prepares for the arrival of its first Boeing 787s in the coming years.
Established in 2008, flydubai now serves more than 135 destinations across 57 countries and continues to scale its global reach as demand increases.
Fleet expansion
The new engines will support flydubai’s widebody fleet, first ordered at the Dubai Airshow 2023, when the carrier placed its initial commitment for 30 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. This move diversifies its all-Boeing 737 fleet and positions the airline to serve long-haul destinations while adding capacity on high-demand routes.
The Boeing 787-9, known for its fuel efficiency and extended range, will enable flydubai to introduce a broader network and adjust services to evolving passenger preferences.
Engine performance
The selection of the GEnx-1B highlights flydubai’s confidence in GE Aerospace’s high-thrust engine family, which has accumulated more than 62 million flight hours since its entry into service in 2011. It is GE Aerospace’s fastest-selling engine in its class, with more than 3,600 units in operation and backlog, including spares.
The GEnx powers two-thirds of Boeing 787 aircraft currently flying worldwide. The engines deliver strong fuel efficiency, low operating costs and proven performance across varying climatic conditions.
All GEnx engines are certified to operate on today’s available blends of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), supporting ongoing sustainability efforts in the aviation sector.
Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said the engines will play an integral role in the airline’s upcoming growth phase as it prepares to welcome the Boeing 787 fleet. He added that flydubai has built its position as a key player in the market by offering accessible and reliable travel through Dubai’s global aviation hub. Russell Stokes, President and CEO of Commercial Engines and Services at GE Aerospace, said the company is honoured by flydubai’s confidence in GEnx technology and looks forward to supporting the airline’s first widebody operations.
GE Aerospace in UAE
GE Aerospace has maintained a strong presence in the UAE for more than 40 years, aligning with the country’s long-term aviation ambitions. Its local footprint includes more than 240 employees, offices in Abu Dhabi and Dubai Airport Freezone, and an On Wing Support Center in Dubai South.
The company also operates partnership facilities focused on engineering, testing and MRO services, along with the Middle East Technology Center, which develops solutions tailored to the region’s hot and harsh operating environments.