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- Confirmed: Emirates Will Get Starlink; Abu Dhabi to Sell Stake in Qatar Telco; Arada IPO in 2028
Confirmed: Emirates Will Get Starlink; Abu Dhabi to Sell Stake in Qatar Telco; Arada IPO in 2028
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Happy Tuesday everyone!
We have Dubai Airshow Day One updates for you in today’s edition. The world’s largest aviation event kicked off with major deals and announcements. Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) revealed plans to sell a 5% stake in Qatari telecom giant Ooredoo, potentially raising $572 million in a secondary share sale. Meanwhile, Sharjah and Saudi-backed developer Arada is making waves internationally, investing up to $428 million in London’s Thameside West project while expanding its UAE pipeline with 10,000 new homes. The company is also eyeing a potential IPO by 2028, signaling ambitious growth plans both at home and abroad.
But before that: For quick daily updates, follow us on Instagram, and you can watch our Smashi Business Show live every weekday from 10AM onwards (UAE time). Also, you can join our Whatsapp channel to receive updates from the business world.
Markets
EGX 30 | 41,065.75 | 0.35% |
DFMGI | 5,957.49 | 0.134% |
ADX | 9,911.44 | 0.065% |
Tadawul | 11,051.13 | 0.01% |
Emirates President Confirms Starlink Wi-Fi To Be Installed Across Entire Emirates Fleet
Emirates President Sir Tim Clark has confirmed that Starlink’s high-speed Wi-Fi will be installed across the airline’s entire in-service fleet, making Emirates the world’s largest Starlink-enabled international wide-body operator. The rollout begins with Boeing 777 aircraft in November 2025, with the full fleet of 232 jets completed by mid-2027. Sir Tim called the partnership “another defining moment” in Emirates’ commitment to ensuring customers “fly better,” offering free, ultra-fast connectivity for all passengers across all cabins.
Starlink will allow travelers to stream, game, work, make video calls, and browse seamlessly on both personal devices and seatback screens. Installations will progress at a pace of around 14 aircraft per month, including two antennae per 777 and an industry-first three antennae on each A380. The first Starlink-equipped commercial flight will depart immediately after the Dubai Airshow. SpaceX’s Chad Gibbs said Starlink will let Emirates passengers “stay connected just as on the ground.”
Emirates Places US$38 Billion Order For 65 Additional Boeing 777X Jets At Dubai Airshow 2025
Emirates has ordered 65 additional Boeing 777-9 aircraft powered by GE9X engines, valued at US$38 billion on day one of the Dubai AirShow 2025. The deal raises its total Boeing orderbook to 315 widebody jets and expands its GE9X engine commitments to 540 units, reinforcing its position as the world’s largest 777 operator.
The massive order underscores Emirates’ long-term expansion strategy and delivers a significant boost to US aerospace manufacturing. It also strengthens Boeing’s 777X programme and supports its feasibility study for the larger 777-10 variant, aligning with global demand for higher-capacity, fuel-efficient aircraft.
Emirates expects its first 777-9 deliveries from Q2 2027 and will continue evaluating conversion options to the 777-10 or 777-8. With deliveries extending to 2038, the order deepens the airline’s strategic partnership with Boeing and GE while shaping the next generation of its fleet.
Flydubai Orders 60 GEnx-1B Engines To Power Its First Boeing 787 Fleet
flydubai has signed a major agreement with GE Aerospace for 60 GEnx-1B engines to power its upcoming fleet of 30 Boeing 787-9 aircraft, marking a key step into long-haul operations. Announced at Dubai Airshow 2025, the deal includes spare engines and a long-term services agreement. CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith said the engines’ performance and durability are vital as flydubai expands its network beyond its 135 destinations. GE’s Russell Stokes said the company is honoured to support the airline’s next growth phase. The fuel-efficient GEnx, GE’s fastest-selling high-thrust engine, will help flydubai diversify beyond its all-737 fleet.
Saudi real estate: Cityscape Global opens with $43bn in deals and landmark property tokenisation move
Saudi Arabia launched Cityscape Global 2025 in Riyadh, announcing real estate agreements worth SR161.2 billion ($43 billion). Held under the theme “The Future of Urban Living,” the event highlights the Kingdom’s rapid urban transformation and adoption of digital real estate standards.
Minister Majed Al-Hogail emphasized that Saudi Arabia’s five major cities will require more than 1.5 million housing units by 2030, including 731,000 in Riyadh. The exhibition also marked a milestone with the Kingdom’s first tokenisation of a real estate title deed, establishing global standards and reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s leadership in digital property infrastructure and smart city development.
📅 November 17–20, 2025
📍 Riyadh Exhibition & Convention Center – Malham
Register now for free and be part of the world’s largest real estate event.
Adia To Sell 5% Stake In Ooredoo In Secondary Share Offering Worth Up To $572 Million
What It’s About?
Abu Dhabi Investment Authority plans to sell about 161 million Ooredoo shares — equivalent to 5% of the company — in a secondary share sale, Bloomberg reported. Priced between 12.40 and 13 riyals, the deal could raise up to 2.09 billion riyals ($572 million).
Why It Matters?
The sale comes as Ooredoo’s stock has gained nearly 20% this year, supported by stronger earnings and upgraded dividend guidance. ADIA’s move marks a partial exit from one of Qatar’s largest telecom firms, reflecting strategic portfolio adjustments by the region’s biggest sovereign wealth fund.
What’s Next?
Citigroup, HSBC, and QNB Capital are arranging the transaction. With major shareholders including QIA and Qatar’s pension authority, market focus will shift to investor appetite for the block sale and its impact on Ooredoo’s share performance in the coming sessions.
Sharjah Sheikh and Saudi Prince-Backed Arada Looks at 2028 IPO
What It’s About?
Arada, backed by Sharjah’s Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi and Saudi Arabia’s Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal, plans an IPO by 2028 as it accelerates global expansion. The developer is investing up to £325 million ($428 million) in London’s Thameside West project and adding 10,000 new UAE homes.
Why It Matters?
The acquisition of an 80% stake in the £2.5 billion Thameside West development cements Arada’s rapid entry into the UK market. CEO Ahmed Alkhoshaibi says rising opportunities in London and Sydney make this the right moment for aggressive growth, supported by strong UAE real estate demand.
What’s Next?
Construction at Thameside West begins in 2027, with 5,000 homes planned. Arada expects to expand into Saudi Arabia before mid-2026 and is exploring opportunities in Abu Dhabi. With JPMorgan advising on sukuks and convertible bonds, the company is positioning itself for a potential listing as early as 2028.
🦄 World of Startups
Zid, Saudi e-commerce enablement platform, expands into Egypt through a partnership with digital store provider Zammit.
Bahrain launches $185mln fund to support SMEs
Deplike, Turkey-based AI music learning platform, raised undisclosed seed funding from 216 Capital to grow its Chordie AI app with 250K active users.
Chari, Morocco-based fintech and e-commerce platform, raised undisclosed Series A extension funding from Egypt’s DisrupTech Ventures to expand its embedded financial services for retailers.
Arab Therapy, Jordan-based online mental health platform, secured a strategic investment from Value Makers Studio (VMS) to grow its licensed telemedicine and corporate wellness services.
First Circle Capital, a female-led VC in Uganda and Morocco, raised $6M from IFC for its $25M pan-African fintech fund targeting pre-seed and seed-stage startups in fintech, insurtech, and climate tech.
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