flydubai orders 60 GEnx engines to power new Boeing 787 fleet

Dubai: flydubai has signed a major agreement with GE Aerospace for 60 GEnx-1B engines to support the airline’s first wide-body fleet, marking a significant step in its long-haul expansion plans. The deal, finalised at the Dubai Airshow 2025, includes spare engines and a long-term services package that will support the carrier as it brings its new Boeing 787-9 aircraft into service.

The order reinforces flydubai’s wider growth strategy. The airline, established in 2008, now serves more than 135 destinations across 57 countries and is preparing to add long-haul routes to its network for the first time. The additional engine capacity will help the carrier increase seats on existing routes while supporting demand from a growing customer base.

“The performance and durability of our engines play an integral role in the success of our operations and fleet expansion plans, especially as we prepare to welcome the Boeing 787 aircraft to our fleet in the coming years," said Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO at flydubai. "We look forward to a long and successful partnership with GE Aerospace as we embark on the next chapter of growth.”

flydubai’s choice of the GEnx-1B engine reflects confidence in GE Aerospace’s track record for performance and reliability in challenging operating environments. The GEnx family has accumulated more than 62 million flight hours since 2011 and remains GE’s fastest-selling high-thrust engine, with more than 3,600 units in service and backlog. The engine powers two-thirds of all Boeing 787 aircraft currently flying, and it is certified to operate on today’s sustainable aviation fuel blends.

The deal builds on flydubai’s initial wide-body order for 30 Boeing 787-9s placed at the 2023 Dubai Airshow. The addition of the fuel-efficient Dreamliner aircraft marks a shift from the airline’s all-737 fleet and supports its long-term plan to offer the right product mix as customer needs evolve.