Dubai Airshow 2023 marked a historic milestone as the event saw the signing of over $101 billion in aviation deals, according to official report.
The Dubai Airshow’s most extensive and exceptional edition took place from November 13 to 17, 2023, at Dubai World Central (DWC), featuring a spectacular display of over 180 aircraft in both flying and static exhibits.
The 18th edition of the Dubai Airshow saw the participation of world’s leading aviation, aerospace and defense companies. The airshow featured the latest commercial, business, and military aircraft including eVTOLs (electric vertical take-off and landing) and helicopters.
The event, held under the patronage of UAE’s Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, reinforced the Gulf country’s position as a critical hub for technological advancements in aviation, aerospace, and defense.
Emirates steals the spotlight with $52 billion order
The groundbreaking edition of Dubai Airshow 2023 saw major players in the aviation landscape making historic deals.
On the opening day, Emirates placed a monumental order worth $52 billion for 95 additional wide-body aircraft, including Boeing 777-9s, 777-8s, and 787s.
“This order is an incredible vote of confidence in the efficiency and versatility of the 777X family to meet Emirates’ needs for global long-haul travel,” said Stan Deal, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The 777-9 and 777-8 are the perfect airplanes to support Emirates’ growth plans, improving environmental performance and unmatched payload capability.”
“Emirates is the biggest operator of Boeing 777 aircraft, and today’s order cements that position. The 777 has been central to Emirates’ fleet and network strategy of connecting cities on all continents non-stop to Dubai. We are pleased to extend our relationship with Boeing and look forward to the first 777-9 joining our fleet in 2025,” Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates airline and Group, said.
Other deals signed at Dubai Airshow
- Ethiopian Airlines Group signed $23 billion deals to purchase a total of 84 aircraft at the Dubai Airshow. This includes an order of 11 787 Dreamliner and 20 737 MAX airplanes, with options for 15 and 21 additional jets, from Boeing. The airline also committed to buy 11 additional Airbus A350-900s with six more purchase rights.
- UAE-based defense firm, EDGE Group, signed deals worth at least $1.8 billion at Dubai Air Show. This includes the UAE Ministry of Defense’s largest deal with EDGE for its REACH-S fixed-wing UAV. Under the deal, EDGE Group would deliver 100 units of REACH-S, one of the UAE’s first locally-made medium altitude, long endurance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
- Dubai-based carrier, flydubai, placed an order valued at US$11 billion for the purchase of 30 787-9 Dreamliners from Boeing.
- Latvian airline airBaltic also signed an order for an additional 30 A220-300s, which will make it the largest A220 customer in Europe. This will allow airBaltic to operate a fleet of 100 A220s by 2030.
The Abu Dhabi government-owned Tawazun Council, working closely with the Ministry of Defense, played a pivotal role in the event, signing contracts worth $6.2 billion with both local and international companies.
The UAE Space Agency unveiled the timeline for the MBR Explorer, the spacecraft for the Emirates Mission to Asteroid Belt (EMA).
Meanwhile, an MoU between the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) and EANAN, a UAE technology company leading the next evolutionary step in transportation, marked a key step forward in advanced air mobility solutions.
Dubai Airports, operator of the world’s largest international hub, sealed a milestone partnership with Intelak Hub, the premier innovation incubator in Dubai dedicated to travel, tourism, and aviation.
Dubai Airshow 2023 Highlights
The Dubai Airshow 18th edition featured:
- More than 1,400 exhibitors from over 95 countries
- 80+ startups and 20 country pavilions
- 180+ advanced commercial, private and military aircraft on display
- 350 military and civil delegations
The next edition will take place in 2025 at Dubai World Central (DWC), Al Maktoum airport.
