3.19 trillion dirhams of Dubai Airways deals during 13 sessions

Since its inception in 1989, the Dubai Air Show has established itself as one of the most prominent global events in the aviation and aerospace industry, having transformed from a limited regional exhibition into a major international platform that combines innovation, investment, and decision-making in a sector that is considered one of the most influential sectors in the world economy. Over the course of three and a half decades, the exhibition has witnessed amazing growth that reflects the progress of Dubai itself, the city that has transformed into a global center for civil and commercial aviation. During the last 13 sessions, the value of announced deals exceeded the barrier of 3.19 trillion dirhams, making the exhibition one of the largest global markets for exchanging contracts in the fields of civil and military aviation and space technology.

The importance of the exhibition is not limited to the volume of deals signed in it, but extends to its direct and indirect economic impact, as the contracts concluded contribute to supporting millions of job opportunities in engine and component factories, maintenance companies and logistics services around the world. The exhibition also pumps billions of dollars into the economies of the participating countries, becoming one of the main engines for the growth of the global aviation sector.

As each new session approaches, expectations are renewed with record deals and huge air shows, confirming that the exhibition is no longer just a regular event, but has become a symbol of Dubai’s success in leading the future of global aviation, and an indicator of its ability to bring the world together under the umbrella of innovation in an industry that never stops developing.

Latest aircraft

The 19th edition of the Dubai Airshow 2025, which will be held at Dubai World Central Airport from November 17 to 21, 2025, will host more than 200 of the latest aircraft, with a total participation of more than 150 countries. More than 120 startups, more than 50 investors, and 350 distinguished international speakers and entrepreneurs are participating in the exhibition, presenting more than 350 hours of inspiring content through 12 tracks.

The event also sets new standards in the global aviation sector by hosting more than 490 military and civilian delegations from 98 countries, 440 new exhibitors, 18 national pavilions, and more than 1,500 of the most important aviation, space and defense companies, with an increase of 8,000 square meters in exhibition space.

The 19th edition of the exhibition will be launched under the slogan “The Future Starts From Here,” highlighting the latest developments in the fields of sustainability, innovation enhanced by artificial intelligence, advanced transportation, space exploration, and developing the next generation of talent. This year’s edition will be the largest and most future-focused event to date, bringing together more than 1,500 of the world’s most prominent aerospace and defense companies from more than 47 countries, with expectations of hosting 148,000 visitors.

Attention is drawn to the numbers that embody the success story of the exhibition over its previous editions. After receiving 79,000 visitors in 2017 and 135,000 in the 2023 edition, the next edition is expected to exceed 148,000 visitors, a clear indication of the growing momentum achieved by the event as it is one of the largest air shows in the world.

First exhibition

Dubai hosted the first aviation exhibition under the name “Arab Civil Aviation Exhibition”, in 1986, with the participation of 20 companies, in the halls of the Dubai World Trade Center. Two years later, the exhibition was held in the same place with the participation of 60 exhibitors. The exhibition moved to Dubai International Airport in 1989, and the real start of the exhibition was (the first session) with the participation of 200 exhibitors and 25 aircraft.

Over the past years, the exhibition witnessed a group of billion-dollar events and deals, the most prominent of which was Emirates Airlines signing an order to purchase 143 A350, A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft, worth about 128 billion dirhams, in the 2007 session.

The carrier later returned to request the purchase of 150 Boeing 777

record

The 2013 session recorded a record in the volume of announced deals, which amounted to 758 billion dirhams, the largest part of which came for deals for the new aircraft that Boeing announced at the time, which was the new Boeing 777 And “Boeing 777”.

In turn, Etihad Airways announced the purchase of 143 aircraft, and the rights to purchase 56 other aircraft, at a value of 191.36 billion dirhams in 2013. Emirates Airlines also placed an order worth 55.5 billion dirhams to purchase 40 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft in the 2017 cycle.

As for Flydubai, it signed an order worth 99 billion dirhams to buy 225 “737 MAX” aircraft in 2017, and “Airbus” won a huge deal to sell 430 aircraft from the “A320neo” family in one go, worth 181.6 billion dirhams in 2017.

• 120 startups, 50 investors, and 350 international speakers and entrepreneurs are participating in the exhibition.