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The Growing Role of the Boeing 787 in Middle East Aviation

The Growing Role of the Boeing 787 in Middle East Aviation
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is increasingly shaping the landscape of Middle Eastern aviation, establishing itself as a preferred aircraft for regional carriers prioritizing efficiency, extended range, and enhanced passenger comfort. Its advanced fuel-efficient engines combined with a lightweight composite airframe provide substantial cost savings and dependable performance, particularly suited to the region’s demanding hot climate. This makes the 787 an attractive option for airlines seeking to broaden their route networks without committing to larger widebody aircraft such as the Boeing 777.
Demand for the Dreamliner in the Middle East has surged markedly in recent years. By October 2025, Middle Eastern airlines accounted for 60% of the 321 Boeing 787 orders placed worldwide, underscoring the region’s critical role in the aircraft’s global market success. This strong demand has led Boeing to increase production rates not only for the 787 but also for the 737, highlighting the strategic importance of Middle Eastern carriers within the manufacturer’s global business outlook.
The competitive environment in the region is evolving rapidly as aircraft manufacturers respond to expanding fleet requirements. Embraer, for instance, has emphasized improvements in its E2 jets’ geared turbofan (GTF) engines, while Ethiopian Airlines is both expanding its Boeing MAX fleet and exploring new widebody aircraft options. Flydubai, another significant regional operator, has selected the GE Aerospace GEnx engine for its forthcoming Boeing 787-9 fleet, intensifying competition among engine suppliers and signaling a dynamic market landscape.
Leading Operators and Fleet Composition
Qatar Airways currently stands as the largest Boeing 787 operator in the Middle East, with a fleet comprising 56 Dreamliners—32 of the 787-8 variant and 24 of the 787-9. The Doha-based carrier has also placed substantial orders for an additional 61 787-9s and 75 787-10s, indicating a sustained commitment to the type. Other prominent regional operators include Etihad Airways, Saudia, Gulf Air, Oman Air, Royal Jordanian Airlines, Iraqi Airways, and Riyadh Air, each maintaining varying fleet sizes of the 787 across its different variants.
Qatar Airways leads with 56 aircraft, followed by Etihad Airways with 47, Saudia with 21, and Gulf Air with 10. Oman Air operates eight Dreamliners, while Royal Jordanian Airlines, Iraqi Airways, and Riyadh Air maintain smaller fleets ranging from one to seven aircraft. This distribution reflects the growing reliance on the 787 across a diverse set of carriers within the region.
Qatar Airways: Expanding Reach with the 787
Since taking delivery of its first Boeing 787 in 2012, Qatar Airways has become the region’s foremost operator of the type. The airline’s 787-8s are configured to seat up to 254 passengers in a two-class layout, while the larger 787-9s accommodate up to 311 passengers. Qatar Airways deploys its Dreamliners on a wide array of routes from its Doha hub, demonstrating the aircraft’s versatility across both regional and long-haul markets.
According to Cirium data from November 2025, the busiest 787 routes for Qatar Airways include Kathmandu, with 82 flights operated by the 787-8, followed by Barcelona with 75 flights and Manchester with 73 flights, both served by the 787-9. Other high-frequency destinations include Colombo, Copenhagen, Berlin, Frankfurt, Hanoi, Munich, and Dublin, illustrating the Dreamliner’s integral role in connecting Doha to diverse global markets.
As Middle Eastern airlines continue to modernize and expand their fleets, the Boeing 787 remains central to their growth strategies. However, with increasing competition from rival manufacturers and engine suppliers, the region’s aviation sector is poised for intensified competition and innovation in the coming years.

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