The Boeing Company shares a long-standing relationship with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which is home to Emirates Airline, Etihad Airways and flydubai.
From air transport and aviation support services to defense and satellite systems, Boeing has worked closely with UAE civil and defense authorities to achieve the country’s objectives and ambitions. Boeing values its relationships and partnerships in the region and is committed to building on those relationships for mutual benefit into the future.
The UAE has emerged as a global air transport hub, thanks to its unique geographical position and a strategically planned approach to growing its aviation sector. Over the past few years, its airlines have grown in both influence and reach and currently operate scheduled passenger and cargo flights to more than 160 destinations across six continents.
In 1999, Boeing Defense, Space & Security, which was then known as Integrated Defense Systems, established an office in Abu Dhabi. Since then, Boeing has strengthened its presence in the country. In 2005, Boeing established its headquarters for Boeing Middle East in Dubai.
Kuljit Ghata-Aura was appointed president of Boeing Middle East, North Africa and Turkey in September 2021. He is responsible for coordinating all companywide activities in the region and developing and implementing country and regional strategies. Ghata- Aura is based in Dubai, UAE.
Boeing Commercial Airplanes
Since 1977, the UAE has ordered more than 900 Boeing aircraft, including both direct purchase and leases. Boeing airline customers in the country include Emirates Airline, Etihad Airways and flydubai, as well as aircraft lessor Dubai Aerospace Enterprise and Novus Aviation Capital.
Dubai-based Emirates Airline is currently the world’s largest operator of the 777 with over 147 of the aircraft in its fleet. The airline is also a launch customer for the 777X, with orders for 115 airplanes. In 2019, the airline also announced an order for 30 787 Dreamliners.
Etihad Airways is Boeing’s largest 787 customer in the Middle East with a total order of 71 Dreamliners. The airline also operates 777 aircraft and is one of the launch customers for the 777X, with 25 on order.
flydubai became the region’s largest customer for the 737-800 when it placed an order for 50 of the airplanes in 2008. In 2013, flydubai ordered 75 737 MAXs, the first of which was delivered in 2017. That same year, flydubai struck another landmark agreement with Boeing for up to 225 737 MAXs, representing the largest-ever single-aisle jet order from a Middle East carrier.
At the 2017 Dubai Airshow, flydubai struck another landmark agreement with Boeing for up to 225 737 MAX airplanes, representing the largest-ever single-aisle jet order from a Middle East carrier — by number of airplanes and total value. Boeing provides technical support for its customers in the UAE through the Dubai-based Boeing Service Center.
The center is one of eight spares distribution facilities Boeing has worldwide and houses approximately $25 million worth of parts and an inventory of more than 26,000 items that are shipped around the region to service airline customers. In addition, a regional spares manager and six field service offices in the region provide aftersales support, and 15 Boeing field service representatives provide on-site support to Commercial Airplanes customers.
In its Commercial Market Outlook for the next 20 years, Boeing estimates that the Middle East passenger traffic and the region’s commercial fleet are projected to more than double over the 20-year forecast period. More than two-thirds of airplane deliveries to the Middle East will accommodate growth, while one-third of deliveries will replace older airplanes with more fuel-efficient models such as the 737 MAX, 787 Dreamliner and 777X.
The Middle East carriers will require 3,000 new airplanes valued at $700 billion and aftermarket services such as maintenance and repair worth $740 billion, with the region positioned to capitalize on the recovery of regional and international travel and cargo demand.
Defense, Space & Security
Boeing partners with the UAE Armed Forces, providing and sustaining the most advanced Boeing defense platforms, which include the AH-64 Apache, CH-47 Chinook, and C-17 Globemaster III. The UAE operates these platforms to protect their air, land, and sea borders, facilitating hundreds of humanitarian missions. In the satellite realm, UAE-based Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications operates Boeing 702 satellites. Boeing Government Services provides performance-based logistics sustainment support for the UAE’s AH-64 Apache helicopters in its Dubai distribution facility. It also provides an integrated sustainment program, including heavy maintenance and simulator training for aircrew for their C-17 fleet.
Boeing Global Services
From its Dubai distribution facility, Boeing provides sales and customer service support to the commercial airline industry, military customers and business aviation in the wider region.
Jeppesen, a Boeing company, also bases its regional headquarters in Dubai and is the world’s leading provider of information management, operational efficiency, optimization and disruption management tools for pilots and aircraft operators.
Boeing also provides comprehensive engineering and technical data solutions. The company holds aircraft interiors Design Organization Approval (DOA) certifications from the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority and the European Aviation Safety Agency.
In the UAE, Boeing Global Services provides performance-based logistics sustainment support of the UAE’s AH-64D Apache helicopters. For the UAE’s C-17 fleet, Boeing also provides sustainment and heavy maintenance, as well as a C-17 aircrew training center.
Boeing Capital Corporation
As a wholly owned subsidiary, Boeing Capital Corporation creates financing solutions for customers that purchase the company’s commercial airplane and defense products. As the company’s investment bank, it works closely with third-party financing sources that provide nearly all of the financing support required by Boeing customers. Boeing Capital also manages the company’s $3.5 billion portfolio of commercial airplanes.
Boeing has distinguished itself in the region among aircraft manufacturers by working closely with Middle East financiers. As a result, the region’s support for Boeing aircraft deliveries has essentially doubled in the last two years. Boeing regularly organizes events in the Middle East that are designed to engage the region’s finance community. Since 2006, it has hosted annual airline planning seminars for financiers in the UAE and other Middle East countries, and its Middle East financiers and investors’ conference has become an annual event.
In 2012, Boeing entered into the region’s first working-together agreement for aircraft financing and leasing cooperation with the National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD). Through this association, the region’s highly successful first Chief Risk Officer Summit for airlines and investors was held that year.
In 2015, Boeing Capital appointed Ahsen Rajput to the position of deputy managing director for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region. Rajput is based in Abu Dhabi and is Boeing Capital’s first local hire in the region.