Gulf Carriers Refuse to Postpone Orders Amid Ongoing Iran Conflict

Boeing's vice president for the Middle East, Gulf, and North Africa, Fahad Al Mheiri, stated that Gulf carriers are not considering postponing or reorganizing their aircraft orders and deliveries in 2026 due to the ongoing Iran conflict. The long-term growth outlook of these airlines remains solid, supported by the robustness of their global aviation hub frameworks and their ability to withstand disruptions caused by the war.

Al Mheiri acknowledged that airlines currently face significant financial and operational strains but emphasized that Boeing has not engaged in any talks about altering orders or delivery schedules. He credited this to the international scope of airline operations and their strong capacity to handle short-term shocks, such as elevated fuel costs or swings in travel demand.

The UAE's full reopening of its airspace in May and Emirates operating at roughly 90 percent of its capacity are seen as recovery signals by Al Mheiri. There is sustained demand for the over 930 Boeing jets in the regional order pipeline, which represents about 14 percent of Boeing's commercial backlog with no major delivery postponements or supply chain interruptions affecting current schedules.

Boeing has handed over more than a dozen aircraft to Middle East operators since early 2026, including the first two 787 Dreamliners for Saudi startup Riyadh Air. The company anticipates robust interest in new jets from Gulf carriers this year despite rising tensions, with Al Mheiri highlighting enduring benefits such as their strategic location and use of contemporary fuel-efficient long-haul aircraft.