Dubai Airshow 2025 Day 1: The future of flight takes center stage

The world’s biggest international airline Emirates will be making the first commercial order announcement of the day shortly.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, visited the Dubai Airshow 2025 at Dubai World Central, where he toured sections of the event and viewed several of the displays set up by participating companies.

His visit included stops at selected areas of the showgrounds, where teams outlined the new equipment and technologies they brought to this year’s edition. The Crown Prince took a close look at the latest advances in aviation and defence positioned across the outdoor and indoor zones.

The tour was one of the main engagements on the day’s schedule, with Sheikh Hamdan spending time observing the products and systems highlighted for industry visitors.

Visitors to the Dubai Airshow can pick up a range of Emirates goodies this year, including the airline’s popular A380 model, priced from Dh130 to Dh2,200. The stand also features hats, baby crew uniforms, luggage tags, passport holders, notebooks and several other collectibles for aviation enthusiasts.

Riyadh Air and The Helicopter Company (THC) signed an MoU at the Dubai Airshow to develop helicopter transfer services that will help passengers move faster between Riyadh’s airport and key locations in the city. Both companies are owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.

The plan is to introduce “last-mile” connectivity, allowing travellers arriving at King Khalid International Airport to continue their journey by helicopter instead of by road. Similar services already operate in cities like New York and Nice.

THC CEO Captain Arnaud Martinez said the agreement supports efforts to improve mobility within the Kingdom. Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas said the airline is working to build a modern travel network ahead of its commercial launch.

The two companies will now study routes and service options that could be offered once Riyadh Air begins operations. The idea is to shorten travel times and make it easier for passengers to reach major districts across Riyadh and eventually other parts of Saudi Arabia.

President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited the Dubai Airshow 2025, where he toured the outdoor displays and viewed the aircraft and equipment showcased on the flight line.

His walkthrough focused on the latest models and technologies positioned across the static display area, with teams providing brief updates on key features and capabilities. The visit formed part of the programmed for the day, offering a close look at the aircraft presented by participating manufacturers and defence organisations.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, visited the Dubai Airshow 2025 venue at Dubai World Central. He was accompanied by Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, and other delegates.

The delegation reviewed the products, services and technologies on display, including the latest developments in aviation, aerospace and defence. Exhibitors presented new aircraft, systems and innovations across multiple halls and pavilions.

The visit formed part of the opening-day programme, with leaders taking a close look at key launches and technical showcases featured at this year’s event.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, described the Dubai Airshow as a testament to the UAE’s forward-looking vision. He said the event exemplifies the nation’s commitment to fostering global partnerships, advancing aviation, space, and defence innovation, and developing solutions that serve humanity while supporting sustainable growth.

Sheikh Mohammed highlighted the show as a platform for global industry leaders to explore new technologies and shape the future of aviation. He reaffirmed the UAE’s dedication to building an integrated aviation system, supporting the knowledge economy, and investing in science and technology to secure the future of nations.

Airbus expects the Middle East's regional aircraft fleet to more than double to 3,700 planes by 2044, a top Airbus official said ahead of the Dubai Airshow.

The French plane maker expects passenger traffic in the Middle East to grow at a compound annual rate of 4.4 per cent over the next two decades, Airbus Head of Marketing in Africa and the Middle East Grainne van den Berg said.

The forecast revealed that the region’s in-service fleet will surge from 1,480 aircraft in 2024 to 3,700 by 2044.

Airbus forecasts a requirement for 4,080 new passenger aircraft deliveries in

the Middle East in the next 20 years comprising 2,380 single-aisle and 1,700 widebody jets.

Widebody aircraft will represent 42 per cent of total demand - the highest share globally and more

than double the world average of 20 per cent. This positions the Middle East as the leading driver of global widebody growth.

Crowds gather to explore the first day of Dubai Airshow 2025 at Dubai World Central

The scale of this year’s aviation showcase is hard to miss. More than 1,500 exhibitors have taken up space across the venue, including 440 companies joining for the first time. The doors have opened to an expected 148,000 visitors, bringing together industry specialists, enthusiasts and prospective buyers from every major market.

The platform has also drawn 490 military and civil delegations representing 115 countries, a turnout that reflects the growing interest in defence, aerospace innovation and cross-border partnerships. Twenty-one national pavilions line the exhibition floor, each highlighting homegrown capabilities and technological advances.

Away from the main halls, 98 chalets host private meetings, contract signings and aircraft viewings, while an extra 8,000 square metres of exhibition space has been added to accommodate the surge in participation. The event also gives a spotlight to the start-up community, with 120 young companies showcasing new ideas and solutions to industry challenges. They are joined by 50 investors exploring opportunities to back the next wave of aviation technology.

The result is a show that feels bigger, busier and more ambitious, offering a rare window into the trends shaping global aviation and defence.

The 19th edition of Dubai Airshow kicks off today, running from November 17 to 21 at Dubai World Central (DWC). The event features over 1,500 exhibitors, 200 aircraft across flying and static displays, 12 conference tracks, and more than 450 global visionaries sharing insights and ideas.

Held every two years, the Airshow has become a major global aerospace hub, attracting airlines, defense companies, and innovators from around the world. Over nearly four decades, it has reflected the UAE’s rise as an aviation powerhouse, with past highlights including Al Fursan and Patrouille de France flyovers over the Palm Jumeirah. Read more