The Dubai Airshow 2023 observed aviation transactions surpassing $101B and has been recognised as the most extensive edition in the history of this prominent industry event.
Significant deals and major announcements marked the Dubai Airshow 2023, underscoring its pivotal role as a crucial centre for the aerospace and defence sectors.
Conducted under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the 18th iteration of the Dubai Airshow showcased the steadfast commitment of the aviation, aerospace, and defence industries to continuous technological progress, with deals exceeding $101B announced throughout the week.
Dubai Airshow 2023 Sets Attendance Record with 30% Surge
The Dubai Airshow 2023 attracted over 135,000 attendees, witnessing a notable 30% increase in attendance compared to the preceding edition. The subsequent edition is scheduled for 2025 at Dubai World Central (DWC), Al Maktoum airport.
Highlighted deals from the event included Emirates initiating an order valued at $52B for an additional 95 wide-body aircraft, encompassing Boeing 777-9s, 777-8s, and 787s, on the inaugural day. In support of the airline’s expansion plans, it also placed a $6B order for 15 additional Airbus A350-900 jets during the airshow.
Ethiopian Airlines Group formalised a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for an additional 11 Airbus A350-900s to augment its existing fleet, affirming its status as the largest A350 customer in Africa. The airline also disclosed an order for 11 787-9 Dreamliners and 20 737 MAX 8 aircraft, with options for 15 and 21 additional jets, respectively.
Latvian airline airBaltic confirmed an incremental order for an extra 30 A220-300s, solidifying its position as the leading A220 customer in Europe. Boeing and flydubai also declared an agreement for the purchase of 30 787-9 Dreamliners, among other noteworthy deals.
airBaltic Boosts A220 Fleet with 30 Additional Orders
Tawazun Council, an independent government entity collaborating closely with the Ministry of Defence and security agencies to maximise value through acquisition systems, signed contracts worth AED 23.06B ($6.3B) with local and international companies, including a deal with HALCON for the procurement of ammunition valued at AED 2.14B.
Emphasising space and future technologies at the 18th edition, the UAE Space Agency utilised the event to unveil the timeline of the MBR Explorer, the spacecraft for the Emirates Mission to Asteroid Belt (EMA), according to Arabian Business.
Additional significant announcements comprised an MoU between the Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) and EANAN, a UAE technology company leading advancements in advanced air mobility (AAM) solutions.
Meanwhile, Dubai Airports, the operator of the world’s largest international hub, disclosed a milestone partnership with Intelak Hub, the premier innovation incubator dedicated to the travel, tourism, and aviation sector in Dubai.
