Dubai Airshow marks industry 'turning point' with deals worth $78bn

Global plane makers secured deals, reconnected with customers and expressed optimism about future at the aerospace event last week

Members of Al Fursan aerobatics demonstration team of the UAE perform a fly-over at the Dubai Airshow. EPA

The Dubai Airshow raked in $78 billion in secured or announced commercial and military deals during the five-day event last week, the first major aerospace exhibition in two years.

Among the most significant deals, Airbus received orders and commitments for 408 aircraft, comprising 269 firm orders and 139 provisional orders, covering the range of its commercial aircraft families, including a first commitment for the new A350 freighter version.

The manufacturer, based in Toulouse, France, bagged a major order for narrow-body jets from private equity company Indigo Partners. The group's airlines placed a firm order for 255 A321 Neo family aircraft, valued at $32 billion at 2018 list prices, although customer discounts are customary.

“Low-cost airlines looking to capitalise on a leisure-led travel recovery showed a healthy appetite for new aircraft at the Dubai Airshow, and the Airbus A321 garnered the most orders as airlines focus on driving down costs per seat,” a report by Bloomberg Intelligence said. “Demand for wide-body planes suffered due to an uneven return to long-haul flying.”

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, watches aerobatic displays at Dubai Airshow. Photo: Dubai Media Office

Sheikh Mohammed visited the Dubai Airshow on day one. Photo: Dubai Media Office

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, receives official delegations at Dubai Airshow. Photo: Dubai Media Office

Sheikh Mohammed receives ministers of defence and chiefs of staff of countries participating in Dubai Airshow. Photo: Dubai Media Office

The Russian Knights perform. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Telal International design and manufacture pilot and steward uniforms. The company is exhibiting at the airshow for the first time. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A visitor takes pictures of the Russian Knights. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Dubai Airshow begins at Dubai World Central. Photo: Dubai Media Office

Crowds at the Dubai Airshow. Chris Whiteoak / The National

An Etihad Airbus A350-1041, in special livery to celebrate the UAE's Golden Jubilee, at the Dubai Airshow, with a Boeing 777X in the background. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A Thunder B-VTOL unmanned aerial vehicle system at the Israel Aerospace Industries stand at the Dubai Airshow. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The Al Tariq series at The Edge stand at the Dubai Airshow. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The new suite at the Emirates stand at the Dubai Airshow. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Members of the Navy attend the airshow. Chris Whiteoak/ The National

The Russian Knights perform at the airshow. Chris Whiteoak/ The National

A model of the Airbus A400M at the Dubai Airshow. Chris Whiteoak/ The National

Official delegations at Dubai Airshow. Photo: Dubai Media Office

The show gets off to a flying start. Photo: Dubai Media Office

A Boeing 777-X at the airshow. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Dubai Airshow begins at Dubai World Central. Photo: Dubai Media Office

Jets impress the crowds. Photo: Dubai Media Office

Boeing's newest 777X wide-body aircraft makes its international debut at Dubai Airshow. Photo: Dubai Media Office

An aerobatic display at Dubai World Central. Photo: Dubai Media Office

The show begins. Photo: Dubai Media Office

Global aircraft manufacturers secured deals, touted new freighters, reconnected with customers and expressed optimism about the future at the Dubai Airshow, which ended on November 18 amid signs of recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic that hammered the aviation industry last year.

More than 104,000 attendees flocked to the biennial event, which recorded a 50 per cent increase in trade visitors compared with the previous edition in 2019, according to Dubai Airshow 2021 organiser Tarsus Middle East.

“The event has been a real testament to the resilience, robustness and adaptability of the aviation and aerospace industries to come back with such strength after the pandemic,” said Timothy Hawes, managing director at Tarsus Middle East. “There have also been greater commitments towards sustainability and decarbonisation, which is of critical importance across the globe.”

Some 387 civil and military delegations attended the event, with 148 countries represented, according to the organiser. And 371 new exhibitors showcased their products at this year's expo, along with more than 80 start-ups.

About 175 aircraft were on display at the runway, including a number of international debuts such as Boeing's 777X wide-body jet.

The next edition of the Dubai Airshow will take place in 2023 at the Dubai World Central (DWC) — Al Maktoum International Airport.

Etihad Airways owned Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 parked alongside at the Dubai Airshow 2021. All photos: Etihad Airways

The UAE airline ramped up its sustainability efforts at the Dubai Airshow, with cross-organisational initiatives and high-level industry partnerships.

The first of Etihad’s A350s was unveiled at the Dubai Airshow this week.

Etihad’s collaborations with partners such as Boeing, GE, Airbus and Rolls Royce are geared towards its objectives to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

Etihad is calling its first A350 as the 'Sustainability50', in reference to the UAE's Golden Jubilee and the net-zero target year of 2050.

The airline’s sustainability initiatives have so far centred on the airline’s fleet of GEnx-powered Boeing 787s, as part of the Greenliner Programme.

Etihad aircraft on display at the Dubai Airshow this week.

The new UAE50 livery to mark the Golden Jubilee.