From Wet Leases to Wide-Bodies: 40 Years of the Emirates and GE Aerospace Partnership

In October 1985, the global aviation landscape shifted permanently when Emirates operated its inaugural commercial flights from Dubai International Airport (DXB). While the industry focused on the emergence of a new carrier in the UAE, a critical technical alliance was simultaneously taking flight. According to a retrospective released by GE Aerospace, those first two aircraft established the foundation for a four-decade partnership that has since reshaped long-haul travel.

As we review the history of this collaboration, data confirms that Emirates has evolved from a startup with $10 million in seed capital to the world’s largest operator of GE-powered wide-body jets. The relationship, which began with leased airframes, now encompasses massive commitments to next-generation propulsion systems, including the GE9X.

The Launch: October 25, 1985

The partnership officially commenced when Emirates launched operations with two specific routes: Flight EK600 to Karachi, Pakistan, and Flight EK500 to Mumbai, India. Historical fleet data indicates that the airline, mandated to operate without government subsidies, utilized two Aircraft wet-leased from Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to initiate service.

The Engines Behind the Start

According to GE Aerospace, both inaugural aircraft relied on GE Propulsion technology, setting a precedent for the airline’s future fleet decisions:

• Airbus A300B4-203 (Registration AP-BBM): Powered by GE CF6-50C2 engines. The “-203” model designation specifically indicated the use of General Electric powerplants rather than competitors.
• Boeing 737-300 (Registration AP-BCD): Powered by CFM56-3 engines, manufactured by CFM International, a 50/50 joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran.

Aziz Koleilat, President and CEO of GE Aerospace for the Middle East, Turkey, and CIS, highlighted the longevity of this relationship in a company statement:

“Throughout its steady, ambitious growth, Emirates Airlines has demonstrated to the aviation industry what innovation can look like. GE Aerospace has been a committed partner supporting this journey from the beginning.”

Scaling to Super-Connector Status

Following the initial launch, the technical alliance expanded significantly during the 1990s and 2000s as Emirates pursued its “super-connector” strategy, linking global cities via Dubai. This expansion relied heavily on the Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 platforms.

Emirates grew to become the world’s largest operator of the Boeing 777, powered exclusively by the GE90-115B engine. Until the recent development of the GE9X, the GE90 held the title of the world’s most powerful commercial jet engine. This propulsion system provided the necessary thrust and efficiency to connect Dubai non-stop to ultra-long-haul destinations such as Los Angeles and Houston.

Simultaneously, the airline adopted the GP7200 engine, produced by the Engine Alliance, a joint venture between GE and Pratt & Whitney, for a significant portion of its Airbus A380 fleet. These engines were selected to meet stringent noise and efficiency standards required for the superjumbo.

AirPro News Analysis: The Strategic Value of Hot Weather Testing

While the volume of engine orders often dominates headlines, we believe the technical backend of this partnership is equally significant. Operating out of Dubai presents unique challenges due to extreme heat and sand ingestion. GE Aerospace established the Middle East Technology Center (METC) in Dubai specifically to analyze engine performance in these harsh environments.

Data derived from Emirates’ high-cycle operations in the desert climate has likely been instrumental in refining engine durability for operators worldwide. This feedback loop, where operational data drives engineering improvements, explains why Emirates maintains a 99.9% reliability rate through its “OnPoint” maintenance agreements, despite operating in one of the world’s most demanding environments.

The Future: The GE9X and 777X

Looking toward the next era of aviation, the partnership has centered on the Boeing 777X program. Emirates is the launch customer for this new wide-body aircraft, which is powered exclusively by the GE9X engine.

In November 2025, the airline reaffirmed its commitment to this platform. According to official reports, Emirates signed a deal for 130 additional GE9X engines to support its expanding Orders of Boeing 777-9s. This brings the airline’s total commitment to over 540 units of the new engine type.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates, commented on the scale of the investment during the November announcement:

“This is a long-term commitment and testament to our partnership with Boeing and GE… We are expanding our commitment to the programme today with additional orders worth US$ 38 billion.”

The GE9X is marketed as the most fuel-efficient engine in its class and is fully compatible with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), aligning with the airline’s broader net-zero sustainability targets.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the first GE engine flown by Emirates?
Emirates’ first flights in 1985 utilized the GE CF6-50C2 (on an Airbus A300) and the CFM56-3 (on a Boeing 737-300).

Does GE manufacture engines for the Airbus A380?
Yes, through the Engine Alliance joint venture. The GP7200 engine, used on many Emirates A380s, is a product of a partnership between GE Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney.

What is the GE9X?
The GE9X is the exclusive engine for the new Boeing 777X family. It is designed to be more fuel-efficient and powerful than its predecessor, the GE90.

Sources

• GE Aerospace