Airlines
Middle East Airline Fleet Replenishment Slowed By Program Delays
Today, 795 Airbus aircraft fly in service in the Middle East region compared with 727 for Boeing.
Emirates Boeing 777-300ER
Nearly 730 Boeing aircraft fly with Middle East airlines. (Photo: David McIntosh)

Delays to major new airliner programs continue to hamper plans for fleet renewal at Middle Eastern carriers. Since the outbreak of Covid, the region's fleets have remained static but as demand for air travel approaches pre-pandemic levels, one might anticipate an increase in new orders as 2023 draws to a close.

For instance, as of October 12, Emirates flew 260 aircraft—119 Airbus A380s and 144 Boeing 777s, including 123 777-300ERs and 11 freighters. Back in September 2019, Emirates operated 268 aircraft and awaited delivery of another 231.

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