UAE government-owned airline flydubai is in early talks with Boeing and Airbus for its largest-ever airplane order, according to CEO Ghaith al-Ghaith. At the Farnborough Air Show, al-Ghaith mentioned that the previous order was for 175 aircraft, and the upcoming one is expected to surpass that. The airline previously purchased 175 Boeing 737 MAX airplanes in 2017. However, flydubai's fleet expansion plans have been impacted by delays in Boeing's aircraft delivery schedule. The airline is evaluating its route development and potential frequency revisions across its network due to a lack of new aircraft deliveries in the coming months.

While air travel demand has rebounded since the pandemic, planemakers are facing challenges in boosting production levels due to disrupted supply chains and a safety crisis at Boeing. These delays have placed substantial pressure on flydubai's ability to plan for growth amid strong post-pandemic travel demand. Boeing's revised 2024 delivery schedule now means that 14 737 MAX aircraft originally planned for delivery this year will not be handed over as expected. Flydubai, with over 125 737 MAX jets on order for the next decade, is urging Boeing to honor and renew its delivery commitments.