Dubai Airshow 2023 achieved a momentous milestone by becoming the largest edition of the event since its inception. This remarkable accomplishment was accompanied by significant deals and major announcements, further solidifying the event’s position as a vital hub for the aerospace and defence sectors.
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the 18th edition of Dubai Airshow showcased the unwavering commitment of the aviation, aerospace, and defense industries to continuous technological advancements. Throughout the week, over $101 billion in deals were announced, highlighting the industry’s robust growth. The event attracted an impressive attendance of over 135,000 participants, experiencing a notable 30 percent increase in footfall compared to the previous edition. Anticipated with excitement, the next edition is scheduled to take place in 2025 at Dubai World Central (DWC), Al Maktoum Airport.
Read more: Dubai Airshow 2023: Day three reaches new heights with billion-dollar contracts
Notable deals
Dubai Airshow witnessed significant deals, with one of the standout announcements being Emirates‘ order of additional wide-body aircraft. On the opening day, Emirates placed an impressive order worth $52 billion for 95 more aircraft, including Boeing 777-9s, 777-8s, and 787s. This substantial investment reinforces Emirates’ ambitious growth plans. Furthermore, during the airshow, the airline solidified its expansion strategy by placing an additional order worth $6 billion for 15 Airbus A350-900 jets.
Ethiopian Airlines Group solidified its position as Africa’s largest A350 customer by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the acquisition of 11 additional Airbus A350-900s. In addition, Ethiopian Airlines announced significant orders for 11 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and 20 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, with options for 15 and 21 additional jets respectively.
Furthermore, airBaltic, the Latvian airline, confirmed an incremental order for 30 additional A220-300 aircraft. Boeing and flydubai, on the other hand, announced a significant agreement for the purchase of 30 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, among other significant deals.
Billions worth of contracts
Tawazun Council, an independent government entity collaborating closely with the Ministry of Defence and security agencies to optimize value in acquisition systems, announced the signing of contracts totaling AED23.06 billion with both local and international companies. Among these contracts, a significant deal was struck with HALCON for the procurement of ammunition valued at AED2.14 billion. Additionally, Tawazun Council entered into two contracts with International Golden Group. The first contract, valued at AED338 million, entails providing technical support for aircraft, while the second contract involves the purchase of engines and aircraft parts, with a total worth of AED13 million.
Focus on space and future technologies
At the 18th edition of Dubai Airshow, there was a notable emphasis on space and future technologies. The UAE Space Agency utilized the event as a platform to unveil the timeline for the MBR Explorer, the spacecraft designated for the Emirates Mission to Asteroid Belt (EMA).
Another significant development was the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) and EANAN, a leading UAE technology company specializing in advanced air mobility (AAM) solutions.
Dubai Airports, the operator of the world’s largest international hub, also announced a significant partnership with Intelak Hub. Intelak Hub, a renowned innovation incubator dedicated to the travel, tourism, and aviation sector in Dubai, will work closely with Dubai Airports to drive innovation and foster growth within the industry.
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