The Dubai Airshow 2025 opened its doors at Dubai World Central on Monday with a series of aircraft orders and technology announcements that drew crowds from across the aviation sector. Emirates placed an order for 65 Boeing 777-9 aircraft at a list price of €35bn euro that increased its commitment to the 777X family to 270 units.
The carrier expected deliveries to begin in 2027 after delays from the original 2020 schedule. Flydubai signed an agreement with GE Aerospace for 60 GEnx-1B engines to power 30 Boeing 787-9 aircraft along with spares and a services contract that supported its entry into long-haul operations.
Emirates also confirmed a fleet-wide rollout of Starlink high-speed Wi-Fi starting with Boeing 777 aircraft in November 2025 and the first commercial flight on aircraft A6-EPF shortly after the event.
Boeing returns after absence in 2023. The company displays the 777X prototype in static park. Military aircraft include the P-8 Poseidon and B-52 in flying demonstrations. Airbus presents the A350-1000 in flight. Emirates marks 40 years with a special livery on an A380. The carrier operates from Dubai International, which processed 87 million passengers in 2024.
- Embraer secured a firm order from Helvetic Airways for three E195-E2 jets with options for five more and a separate deal with Air Côte d’Ivoire for four E175 jets with eight purchase rights.
- Joby Aviation completed the United Arab Emirates’ first crewed eVTOL flight in partnership with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority from Margham to Al Maktoum International Airport in a 17-minute journey that tested electric aerial taxi operations.
- Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement signed eight deals worth AED3.766bn or about €950m on behalf of the Ministry of Defence with local and international firms.
- Boeing completed the first flight test of its Remote Vision System 2.0 upgrade for the KC-46A tanker that addressed previous issues and advanced certification.
- EDGE Group unveiled 42 new systems in drones weapons propulsion space technology and communications during its largest product launch.
- Ethiopian Airlines exercised options for 11 Boeing 737 MAX jets that expanded its narrowbody fleet.
- The Suryakiran Aerobatic Team from the Indian Air Force performed an inverted pass over the venue as part of the flying displays.
- UAE leaders including President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Vice President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum toured the exhibits and viewed aircraft on the flight line.
- The event featured 1,500 exhibitors from 150 countries 200 aircraft on display and extended evening hours on 18 November with networking events and a drone show.
- Organisers projected 148,000 visitors over the five days until 21 November. Boeing’s 777X prototype returned to the flying display for its first routine since 2022 at Farnborough. The United Arab Emirates Air Force showcased its full fleet on static display with mass formations and solo routines from F-16E and Mirage 2000-9 aircraft.
- Calidus displayed defence innovations at stand P07/S26 while Dubai Air Navigation Services signed a memorandum of understanding with ITAérea Aeronautical Business School for leadership training.
- Aloula Aviation reported strong partnerships from its chalet A15.
- Sisir Radar shared its Earth observation technology among global exhibitors. The airshow incorporated 21 national pavilions 98 chalets and 8,000 square metres of space alongside 120 startups and 50 investors.
- Boeing highlighted sustainability through its Cascade Climate Impact Model in commercial and defence sectors. The event marked the 40th anniversary of Emirates as a global airline. Military displays included a JF-17 from the Pakistan Air Force and a Rafale with focus on AI and autonomous drones.
- The United States Air Force contributed a Lockheed Martin F-16C Boeing P-8 Poseidon and B-52 for flying while Boeing provided static F-15 Eagle CH-47 Chinook KC-46 Pegasus AH-64 Apache and C-17 Globemaster.
- Debuts featured the COMAC C919 and C929 alongside Joby Aviation’s eVTOL and General Atomics’ CCA. Conference sessions addressed aviation sustainability environmental pressures digital transformation and regulatory updates.
- China demonstrated the Comac C919 narrowbody jet. The aircraft enters service with domestic airlines this year. Analysts forecast orders from Middle Eastern carriers.
- Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation exhibits the upgraded Yak-130M trainer and light combat jet. Pakistan sends JF-17 fighters and Super Mushshak trainers for aerobatics. India deploys three HAL Tejas jets for display and flight.
- Air China Cargo signs for six Airbus A350 freighters at €2.1bn list price. Deliveries start in 2029. The order marks the first A350F for mainland China. Four options remain under review. Flydubai expands its Boeing 737 fleet with leases from Dubai Aerospace Enterprise.
- The airshow served as a venue for UAE defence investments and international partnerships according to Major General Mubarak Saeed bin Ghafan Al Jabri of the Military Committee. Tawazun Council also signed a memorandum of understanding with Rosoboronexport of Russia’s Rostec for defence cooperation.
As day one concluded the focus shifted to further orders and demonstrations scheduled for the remainder of the week.
Electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles feature in air displays. Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation demonstrate prototypes. Honda exhibits a one-third scale model of its eVTOL. The sector targets commercial operations in 2026. The International Air Transport Association estimates eVTOLs will carry 10 million passengers annually by 2030.
The show was preceded by the International Air Chiefs Conference on 16 November. Topics include vertical lift and defence partnerships. Geopolitical tensions influence exhibits. Sanctions limit Russian participation to non-military items like the AL-51F1 engine for the Su-57M1 fighter.
Sustainability sessions address net-zero goals. Dubai Airports showcases waste reduction and energy systems. The sector emits 2 per cent of global CO2. Fuel efficiency improves 1.5 per cent per year since 2005.
Skyview platform opens to families for flying displays. The area hosts 15,000 visitors over five days. Airshow After Dark extends Tuesday hours to 21:00 with drone shows, skydiving and music. The event generates €5 billion in economic impact for the emirate.
Informa Markets organises the biennial show since 1989. The 2023 edition secured €100 billion in orders. This year forecasts €50bn in commitments. Media coverage reaches 1,350 outlets.
