Dubai Airshow 2025 opens as biggest edition yet

Dubai Airshow 2025 has opened at Dubai World Central (DWC), marking the largest edition in the event’s history, bringing together more than 1,500 exhibitors, 200-plus aircraft on display and an expected 148,000 trade visitors, the highest numbers yet recorded for the show.​

 

Running until 21 November, the biennial event returns with the theme ‘The Future is Here’, placing advanced air mobility and aerospace innovation in the spotlight.

 

Highlights include an expanded Space Pavilion, more than 440 new exhibitors and the largest flying display seen at the event, with aircraft ranging from new-generation eVTOLs to wide-bodies and commercial jets.

 

Joby Aviation’s S4 eVTOL will make its regional debut as the first advanced mobility model in the Dubai Airshow flying display, supported by operational briefings and demonstrations from both Joby and Archer as the companies target a UAE service launch in 2026. 

 

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Gulf carriers such as Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways and Flydubai regularly unveil order activity at the event. While analysts describe the 2025 show as defined by pragmatism and supply chain realities, industry consultancy IBA forecasts that more than 300 commercial aircraft orders and commitments will be confirmed during this edition, reflecting an ongoing appetite for fleet renewal and network growth across the region.

 

Market sources suggest Emirates is preparing to commit to 30 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, with Etihad considering an inaugural order for Airbus A330neos. Other carriers, including Flydubai and Riyadh Air, are expected to confirm options linked to previous agreements, reinforcing a trend of ongoing fleet renewal across the region.

 

Emirates will stage its largest presence to date at the show, displaying all three of its commercial aircraft types and debuting airport technologies including Smart Corridor, a real-time biometric gateway, and AI-Enhanced Customer Handling, offering visitors a practical glimpse into next-generation travel experiences. Ahead of the show, Emirates also announced a fleet-wide rollout of high-speed Starlink broadband connectivity, with service set to begin imminently.​

 

Sustainability remains at the forefront of this year’s programming, as industry leaders spotlight commitments to Sustainable Aviation Fuel and chart progress toward net-zero targets by 2050 – underscored by an expanded conference agenda across 12 tracks and a strengthened focus on future technologies throughout the pavilions

 

For more information, visit dubaiairshow.aero