Dubai Airshow 2023: Historic $50 Billion Boeing Jet Orders Unveiled

Dubai Airshow 2023: Historic $50 Billion Boeing Jet Orders Unveiled

By Author

Published on November 17, 2023

In a bold move that underscores the growing competitiveness in the aviation industry, Dubai-based carriers Emirates and flyDubai have announced a staggering $50 billion deal with Boeing for wide-body jets at the Dubai Airshow. This substantial investment reflects the region's intent to secure limited supplies of long-haul jets and anticipate a surge in international travel.

The orders, totaling 125 Boeing wide-body jets, include 55 units of the 400-seat Boeing 777-9 and 35 of the smaller 777-8, part of the 777X program. Emirates has also added five more 787 Dreamliners to its fleet, while flyDubai made its first-ever long-haul order with 30 of the same model. Additionally, SunExpress, a German-Turkish airline, placed an order for 45 narrow-body 737 MAX jets.

This deal is not just a win for Boeing but also a strategic play by Dubai's carriers as they prepare to cater to the booming demand for travel. The aviation and tourism industries are vital to Dubai's economy, especially as it lacks the oil wealth of its neighbors. These new jets are expected to significantly enhance the carriers' capacity and reach.

Following the announcement, Boeing shares rose 4.4% in New York. The market also reacted positively to the potential thawing of US-China relations, which could resume Chinese purchases of the 737 MAX. The Gulf region, with its strategic UAE and Qatar hubs, remains the largest customer for wide-body jets, essential for long-haul travel.

However, the industry faces challenges, including tight supply chains and the need for sustainable growth strategies. Analysts warn of the difficulties manufacturers face in meeting the burgeoning demand for new aircraft. The orders, crucial for both Boeing's recovery and the carriers' expansion, come amid heightened competition from emerging regional rivals and are a testament to Dubai's commitment to retaining its status as a leading aviation hub.

The backdrop of the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, affecting regional travel and airspace, adds complexity to the situation. Nonetheless, the aviation industry remains focused on long-term growth, with airlines betting on future travel demand. Royal Jordanian, for instance, has ordered six Boeing 787s, adapting to the changing regional dynamics.

With Dubai's carriers making a significant leap in their fleet expansion and setting the tone for robust growth in the aviation sector, the industry looks towards a future of heightened competition, strategic alliances, and innovative solutions to meet the evolving demands of global travel.


Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Reports Rs 13 Crore Net Profit in Q1 FY26

Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Reports Rs 13 Crore Net Profit in Q1 FY26

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 18, 2025

Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited (ASPHL) announced its financial results for Q1 FY26, recording a net profit of Rs 13 crore. Revenue from operations stood at Rs 154 crore, a 14% increase year-on-year, while operating EBITDA grew 16% YoY to Rs 45 crore. The company maintained an industry-leading occupancy of 92%, reaffirming its leadership in the hospitality sector.

ASPHL’s growth is fueled by expansion into Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets. The company recently signed an MoU to acquire and manage four leisure properties in Goa, Manali, Shimla, and Dharamshala, adding 138 rooms under its brand. These steps align with ASPHL’s strategy to broaden its presence in high-potential tourism destinations and double its key count to 5,750 over the next five years.

Flurys, ASPHL’s iconic bakery and confectionery brand, now operates 102 outlets nationwide, reflecting the company’s focus on expanding its market presence while integrating modern amenities with rich cultural heritage.

Commenting on the performance, Vijay Dewan, Managing Director, Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels, said,

"We have delivered an extraordinary and best-ever Q1, setting a strong momentum for the year ahead. With topline growth of 14% and EBITDA growth of 16%, we recorded India’s highest occupancy of 92% and maintained leadership in RevPAR in the upper-upscale segment. ARR improved by 13% and RevPAR increased by 12%. With nearly 600 new rooms added, including a 41% rise in our asset-light model, and nationwide Flurys rollout, we are poised to scale faster, enhance margins, and deliver exceptional shareholder value."

ASPHL’s strong performance in Q1 FY26 underscores its strategic focus on market expansion, operational excellence, and premium guest experiences.


Marriott Announces Dividend and Expands Share Buyback Plan

Marriott Announces Dividend and Expands Share Buyback Plan

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 10, 2025

Marriott International, Inc. has declared a quarterly cash dividend of 67 cents per share on its common stock, reaffirming its commitment to delivering shareholder value. The dividend will be paid on September 30, 2025, to shareholders who are on record as of August 21, 2025.

Alongside the dividend announcement, the hospitality giant also revealed an expansion of its share repurchase program. The board of directors has authorized the repurchase of an additional 25 million shares of its Class A common stock. This comes in addition to the approximately 7.4 million shares that were still available under previous authorizations as of July 30, 2025.

Marriott has already bought back 6.4 million shares this year, amounting to $1.7 billion. These moves reflect the company’s continued confidence in its financial stability and long-term performance, aiming to strengthen shareholder value through strategic capital allocation.


Chennai Postal Services Still Disrupted: Experts Call for Alternative Systems Amid Software Transition

Chennai Postal Services Still Disrupted: Experts Call for Alternative Systems Amid Software Transition

By Author

Published on August 4, 2025

In what was intended to be a smooth digital transformation, postal services across the Chennai Circle continue to remain disrupted even days after a scheduled upgrade to India Post's new IT 2.0 system. The software transition—part of a broader effort to modernize the nation’s postal network—was implemented on August 2nd and 4th across Chennai North and South divisions. However, officials have now confirmed that technical issues still persist, leaving customers and businesses grappling with delayed or inaccessible services.

Key services such as Speed Post, registered mail, parcel bookings, and money orders have either been significantly slowed or paused altogether in many branches. Despite expectations that systems would normalize post-upgrade, the rollout of the Advanced Postal Technology (APT) system has proven more complex than anticipated.

“We are still working on stabilizing the system. There have been unforeseen glitches post-upgrade, and our teams are actively resolving them,” said a senior postal official who requested anonymity.

The disruption has raised concerns across industries—including the hospitality sector—where timely document dispatch, license renewals, vendor payments, and customer correspondence are crucial to daily operations.

Experts and industry stakeholders are now calling on India Post to introduce alternative operational strategies or backup mechanisms during such large-scale transitions.

“In a digital age where seamless service is non-negotiable, a complete blackout due to a software update is avoidable. A fallback process, whether manual or cloud-based, should be in place to ensure continuity,” said a Chennai-based hospitality consultant.

The hospitality industry relies heavily on postal services for legal documentation, international communication, and procurement logistics. The ongoing delays have caused bottlenecks not just in operations but also in customer experience delivery.

As authorities continue to work toward a resolution, the broader question remains: Should India’s essential public infrastructure be this vulnerable to a single system upgrade? The answer may lie in future-proofing core services with hybrid digital models that include disaster recovery plans and parallel systems.


Hospitalitynews.in will continue to track updates as the situation evolves.

Stay up-to-date with the latest Hospitality news and trends in the Hospitality industry!

Subscribe to Hospitality news e-magazine for free and never miss an issue.

By clicking subscribe for free you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.

Advertise With Us

We have various options to advertise with us including Events, Advertorials, Banners, Mailers, etc.