Dubai Airshow 2019 a big success

Vayu On-the-spot report

Sales of $54.5 billion and record attendance 

Static lineup next to the chalets (photo: Premjit Singh)

Dubai Airshow 2019, held from 17-21 November, has been hailed a success by exhibitors, delegates and sponsors alike, as a lively week of trading came to a close.With more than 1,288 exhibitors (up 10% from the previous edition) in attendance, 161 aircraft on the event’s static display and a packed schedule of conferences and keynotes, the programme was the show’s busiest to date – as evidenced by the footfall of 84,043 trade attendees. Sales were also booming, with the order book on site reaching $54.5 billion by close of business.

Dubai Airshow 2019 was officially opened on 17 November, by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces. Also in attendance was Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who joined his father for the start of an inaugural tour of the site.

The static display included the latest civil, business and military aircraft plus a selection of helicopters from industry leaders and new players, including an A330neo displayed by Airbus, a Viking Twin Otter Series 400 from Viking Aircraft and Cessna Caravan C208B alongside a G120TP from Grob Aircraft. Emirates Airline showcased its ultra long range Boeing 777-300, A380-800 and Airbus Corporate Jet 319 while the AURA 100 UAV was on display from Aura Group of Companies (AGC). Gulfstream showed its G500, G600 and G650 aircraft and other inclusions were presented from the Japanese Ministry of Defence, the French Air Force and of course the UAE Air Force. Soaring in the sky above the Dubai Airshow in the flying display were the UAE's Al Fursan aerobatic display team, in addition to the French Air Force Patrouille de France, returning to the Dubai Airshow for the first time since 2011. Also flying was a DassaultRafale and a Boeing B787-9 as well as several helicopters and the world's only aerobatic airline, UK-based display team, the Blades.

Among those taking stands were 100 new exhibitors, including Saudi Arabia’s The Helicopter Company, which was also a key event sponsor. CEO YahyaHomoudAlghoraibi said the firm’s first show had been ‘very successful’.“We have done more than we expected, we have met and had discussions with a lot of companies and we have seen a lot of customers and shown our aircraft to many people as well, so we are very happy with what has taken place. We are a new company, so relationships matter a lot. Communication matters as well, and Dubai Airshow is one of the best communicators.”

Also making its debut this year was EDGE, a group comprising 25 local entities working in five aerospace capability clusters, which was launched shortly before the show. Among the firms sitting under the EDGE umbrella was Al-Tariq, and its CEO Theunis Botha said that the Dubai Airshow had been a great way to establish the brand’s presence in the region. “EDGE has been very well received. We have been very busy and have been inundated with requests and interest from several friendly nations around us. I think we’ve had an excellent show, with lively interest in the product range that we’re offering and this is exciting stuff.”

Super Mushshak from Pakistan made its familiar appearance (photo: Premjit Singh)

Wing Loong I and II UAVs from China were displayed along with their weapons(photo: Premjit Singh)

Elsewhere, a host of speciality conferences, offering industry-specific keynotes, Q&A sessions and networking opportunities, attracted huge crowds of professionals. Set across two days, the Global Air Traffic Management (GATM) conference took a close look into the future of traffic control, with virtual towers proving to be a particularly hot topic.Cargo Connect, a show within the show focused on the air freight industry, with data sharing across both geographical and business boundaries being a key focus.

For the first time in 2019, a growing focus on space exploration regionally was recognised with its own conference programme, opening with Women in Space, hosted by the UAE Space Agency and featuring speakers from the UN and Boeing, among others. Aimed at examining the key role female scientists, researchers, engineers and astronauts will play in the future of the global space industry, the conference proved a huge draw and former astronaut, the European Space Agency’s ClaudieHaigneré, said she found the level of engagement very encouraging. “I felt that really something is going on here, and I’ve been really impressed because this shows a real possibility for change. The new generation coming up here is so refreshing.” 

Meanwhile, the Space Tech Talks schedule looked in-depth at the technological advancements needed for the next generation of space exploration, and the impact they are expected to have on the wider world. Indeed, the impact of both technology and space research on all aspects of industry was evidenced across the show floor, where exhibits ranging from Dubai Police’s new flying bike for hard to reach emergencies to new products in the medivac field, through to the first commercial space flight suits from Virgin Galactic, were all on show.

Brahmos from India had a wonderful display(photo: Premjit Singh)

Commenting on the show’s culmination, Michele van Akelijen, Managing Director of show organisers Tarsus F&E LLC Middle East, stated, “We always want to outperform our last show, and 2019 has gone above and beyond expectation, with so much great business being done alongside an engaging and innovative programme of conferences, exhibits and flying displays.We have already seen exhibitors rebooking for the next edition, and we look forward greatly to seeing what the next two years of aerospace development will bring to our 2021 edition.”

The India Pavilion(photo: Premjit Singh)

Dubai Airshow 2019 proved to be a bumper year for armed forces purchase and maintenance deals, with the UAE Ministry of Defence among those unveiling major contracts at the show.

Indeed, it was Halcon, which is now operating under the EDGE umbrella, which scored the UAE MoD’s first big contract, securing a purchase deal for various ammunitions worth US$980million. Elsewhere, Lockheed Martin received a UAE MoD contract to provide F16 equipment, worth US$20.6 million. “The Dubai Airshow provided an opportunity to reaffirm our enduring commitment to this dynamic region and offered Lockheed Martin a valuable opportunity to connect and engage with our local partners, as well as to showcase our wide range of advanced technological capabilities”, stated Robert S. Harward, the firm’s chief executive for the Middle East. “We actively support the UAE's goal of becoming a leader in cutting-edge defence solutions and look forward to expanding our role in helping it embed innovative ideas while attracting local talent to the defence sector.”

The United Arab Emirates also announced a contract for the purchase of two additional GlobalEye’s from Saab.

The new C-390 Millennium by Brazil’s Embraer was announced at a press conference at Dubai Airshow 2019. The aircraft will be manufactured in collaboration with Boeing under a new partnership, also announced at the show, known as Boeing Embraer – Defense.

(photo: Premjit Singh)

Marc Allen, President of Embraer Partnership & Group Operations, Boeing, stated, “The unique relationship of the air force and Embraer over 50 years is an important part of the secret of its capability development, and we appreciate especially [Embraer’s] continued engagement as we build now this partnership between and across our companies.” 

UAE to Procure Additional GlobalEye’s from Saab 

The United Arab Emirates announced that they intend to conclude a contract amendment for the purchase of two additional GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning & Control aircraft from Saab. According to the announcement, the potential order value related to this contract amendment would be USD 1.018 billion. GlobalEye provides air, maritime and ground surveillance in a single solution. It combines a new extended range radar with the ultra-long range Global 6000jet aircraft from Bombardier.

Qatar Airways places $4 billion LEAP-1A order

Qatar Airways announced that it had ordered CFM International LEAP-1A engines to power its new fleet of 50 Airbus A321neo family aircraft, placing the largest A321neo order ever in the Middle East; total value of $4 billion US at list prices. Qatar Airways has been a CFM customer since 2015 and currently operates a fleet of eight CFM56-5B-powered A320ceo family aircraft. The first LEAP-1A-powered A321neo is scheduled to be delivered in 2020.

Emirates signs for 50 Airbus A350 XWB’s

Emirates signed an order for 50 Airbus A350 XWB worth $16billion. The deal, announced by Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Emirates' Chairman and Chief Executive, and signed with Guillaume Faury, Airbus' Chief Executive Officer, will see the first aircraft delivered in May 2023. The order replaces a previous agreement of intent to purchase 30 A350s and 40 A330 Neos, and reflects Emirates' desire to move towards a new configuration featuring Premium Economy cabins.

Air Arabia orders 120 Airbus A320neo’s

Air Arabia, the Middle East and North Africa’s first and largest low cost carrier, signed a firm order for 120 Airbus aircraft comprising 73 A320neos, 27 A321neos and 20 A321XLRs.

EDGE at Dubai airshow

EDGE, the advanced technology group inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on 5 November, had the largest individual presence at this year's Dubai Airshow. EDGE is the first-ever Advanced Technology Partner of the Dubai Airshow in its 30-year history.With the largest pavilion at the Airshow, EDGE showcased the capabilities of 11 entities: ADASI, AMMROC, Al Tariq, Beacon Red, EARTH, EPI, ETS, GAL, Halcon, Horizon and Jaheziya – covering industries focusing on autonomous systems, precision-guided aerial weapons - all the way to guided systems and MRO services for military aircraft, to name a few.