DUBAI : Emirates kicked off the opening day of the Dubai Airshow with a major fleet expansion announcement, placing a $38 billion order for 65 additional Boeing 777-9 aircraft — a move that will further cement its position as the world’s largest operator of the Boeing 777 family.

The order was unveiled in the presence of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, who described the deal as a long-term investment in the carrier’s future growth and global network.

In addition to the aircraft purchase, Emirates confirmed a second major agreement with GE Aerospace, ordering 130 GE9X engines to power the newly acquired 777-9 jets.

Sheikh Ahmed said: “Emirates is already the world’s largest Boeing 777 operator, and we are expanding our commitment to the programme today with additional orders worth $38 billion for 65 Boeing 777-9s and 130 GE9X engines. This is a long-term commitment and testament to our partnership with Boeing and GE, and to US aerospace.”

The announcement took place during the 19th edition of the Dubai Airshow, signalling an ambitious expansion of Emirates’ long-haul fleet and reinforcing the airline’s confidence in the next generation of wide-body aircraft.