Dubai Air Show 2025 kicks off: What you need to know

2025 kickoff

Dubai Airshow 2025 kicks off today (November 17) its 19th edition, and runs from November 17 to 21, 2025 at the Dubai World Central (DWC). The event brings together 1,500+ exhibitors, 200+ aircraft across flying and static displays, 12 conference tracks, and 450+ global visionaries sharing insight and ideas.

Biennial event

Held every two years, the Dubai Airshow brings together global aerospace giants, defense companies, airlines, and emerging innovators. It’s become one of the world’s biggest aviation showcases.

4 decades

Over nearly four decades, the show has mirrored the UAE’s own rise as an aviation powerhouse, attracting industry giants, emerging innovators, and military delegations from across the globe. This 2011 file photo shows UAE's Al Fursan and Patrouille de France fly in tight formation over the Palm Jumeirah during the Dubai Airshow.

Milestones

Among its biggest milestones are the record-breaking aircraft orders, the introduction of next-generation defence systems, and the increasing spotlight on sustainability, from electric aircraft concepts to sustainable aviation fuel initiatives. Photo shows the Eurofighter "Typhoon" at the Dubai Airshow, captured soaring over the Palm Jumeirah.

Aircraft orders

Gulf carriers like Emirates, Etihad, and flydubai often use the event to announce multi-billion-dollar deals, making it a key barometer of global aviation demand.

Military tech

Military tech is a major draw. Beyond commercial jets, the show features advanced drones, missile systems, next-gen air defence platforms, and live demonstrations from military teams. A YAK-130 fighter jet displayed at Dubai Airshow 2019 at Dubai World Central in Dubai on Sunday, 17th November 2019.

Shifting priorities

Each edition reflects the shifting priorities of the aerospace world — from commercial fleet expansion in the 2000s to defence modernisation in the 2010s, and now, net-zero ambitions in the 2020s.

Cutting-edge innovations

Robotics, AI-driven flight systems, urban air mobility vehicles, and space tech startups often use the show to reveal prototypes or tech breakthroughs. Joby Aviation’s eVTOL aircraft displayed at the World Governments Summit in Dubai on February 12, 2024.

Dubai as aerospace hub

The event showcases the UAE’s expanding MRO (maintenance, repair, overhaul) capabilities, aviation training programs, and space initiatives. A man films with his phone as Aermacchi MB-339 trainer aircraft of the UAE Knights (Fursan Al-Emarat) aerobatics team release smoke while flying over with an Emirates Airbus A380-861 (L) and another Emirates Boeing jetliner aircraft during the 2023 Dubai Airshow at Dubai World Central - Al-Maktoum International Airport in Dubai in 2023.

Sustainability

Hydrogen propulsion, electric aircraft (such as the Joby Aviation e-VTOL aircraft), and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) commitments are expected to feature prominently as the industry pushes toward net-zero goals. Dubai has pioneered the future of mobility with region’s first test flight of Joby "air taxi".

🛫Magnet for dealmakers

With more than 1,500+ exhibitors, 200+ aircraft (flying and static displays), 12 conference tracks, 450+ global visionaries sharing insight and ideas, and  expanded "Space and Advanced Air Mobility", some 100,000 trade visitors are expected at the trade show. It is also dubbed as a high-powered networking arena for governments, investors, and aviation leaders shaping the industry’s future.

Timeline of previous Dubai Air Shows

• 1986 – First Dubai Air Show held as “Arab Air” at Dubai World Trade Centre, featuring 25 aircraft and a small group of exhibitors.

• 1989 – The event is renamed the Dubai Air Show and expands significantly.

• 1991 – Post-Gulf War edition highlights defence technology and growing geopolitical interest.

• 1993 – Attendance surges as major global aerospace firms join.

• 1995 – The show gains international prominence with larger aircraft displays and high-value deals.

• 1997 – Growth continues; the event becomes a fixed player in the global air show circuit.

• 1999 – A record number of exhibitors signal the UAE’s emergence as an aviation hub.

• 2001 – Despite global uncertainty post-9/11, the show underscores rising demand for Gulf-based aviation.

• 2003 – Major military demonstrations and expansion of defence exhibitors.

• 2005 – Emirates and other Gulf carriers begin placing massive wide-body aircraft orders.

• 2007 – The UAE’s aerospace ambitions surge with new partnerships and defence acquisitions.

• 2009 – Economic downturn tempers deals but innovation and sustainability begin to surface.

• 2011 – One of the show’s biggest years; UAE inks high-profile defence contracts.

• 2013 – A milestone edition: Emirates announces a record-breaking order for Boeing and Airbus aircraft worth over $100 billion.

• 2015 – Focus shifts to UAVs, cyber defence, and space technologies.

• 2017 – Urban air mobility prototypes and AI-driven systems debut.

• 2019 – Sustainable aviation fuel, hybrid aircraft concepts, and next-gen defence platforms are in focus.

• 2021 – First post-pandemic show, highlighting aviation recovery and renewed mega-orders.

• 2023 – Strongest edition so far, with new aircraft showcases, supersonic prototypes, and major commercial deals. More than $54 billion worth of deals were closed during this edition.