DUBAI/SHARJAH — The United Arab Emirates’ aviation sector signalled fresh momentum on Wednesday as carrier flydubai posted record profits, Air Arabia unveiled a new European route and lessor Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) struck a $7 billion acquisition deal.
Dubai-based flydubai reported a pre-tax profit of 2.2 billion dirhams ($591 million) for the year ending December 31, 2025, with revenue rising six percent to 13.6 billion dirhams.
Net profit reached 1.9 billion dirhams, marking the airline’s fifth consecutive year of profitability as it expanded its network and boosted investment in technology and customer experience.
Chairman Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said the results aligned with Dubai’s economic ambitions under the leadership of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, describing aviation as a “cornerstone” of the emirate’s growth strategy.
Flydubai carried a record 15.7 million passengers in 2025, with business class demand up 19 percent. The airline operated 126,604 flights over the year and logged more than 400 departures in a single day during December’s peak travel period.
Capacity, measured in available seat kilometres, rose six percent, while passenger yields improved three percent compared with 2024. The carrier launched nine new destinations, expanding its network to 140 destinations in 58 countries.
Chief executive Ghaith Al Ghaith said the airline had navigated geopolitical uncertainty, supply chain constraints and rising maintenance costs while maintaining operational efficiency.
Flydubai ended the year with 97 aircraft after taking delivery of 12 Boeing 737 MAX 8 jets and retiring three older 737-800s. It also announced orders for 150 Airbus A321neos and 75 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft at the Dubai Airshow and plans to introduce high-speed Starlink inflight connectivity from 2026.
AIR ARABIA – SHARJAH TO ROME
In neighbouring Sharjah, Air Arabia said it would launch daily non-stop flights between Sharjah and Rome from July 1, 2026, expanding its European footprint.
The new service will connect Sharjah International Airport with Rome Fiumicino Airport using Airbus A320neo aircraft.
Group chief executive Adel Al Ali said the Rome route underscored the airline’s commitment to direct, value-driven connectivity to key international destinations. The launch adds to Air Arabia’s existing service to Milan–Bergamo, strengthening links between the UAE and Italy.
Meanwhile, Dubai Aerospace Enterprise announced it had signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100 percent of Macquarie AirFinance in a deal valued at about $7 billion.
The transaction will create a combined fleet of 1,029 owned, managed and committed aircraft serving 191 airline customers in 79 countries, with narrowbody jets accounting for around 70 percent of the portfolio.
DAE chief executive Firoz Tarapore said the acquisition would create a “bigger, stronger, more diversified” leasing platform and more than double DAE’s fleet size compared with the end of 2024.
The deal, approved by DAE’s board, is expected to close in the second half of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals.
Together, the announcements highlight the Gulf state’s continued push to consolidate its position as a global aviation and travel hub, even as airlines worldwide contend with supply bottlenecks and geopolitical headwinds.