The global aviation industry giants and decision-makers will descend on Dubai in November for the Dubai Airshow 2021, the first-of-its-kind live event following the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Breathing fresh energy into the embattled industry, the Dubai Airshow 2021 will provide a platform where international aerospace and defence entities will gather to drive the recovery of the global aviation and aerospace industry.

To be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Defence, Dubai Airshow 2021 will take place at Dubai World Central (DWC), Dubai Airshow Site from November 14 to 18.

The airshow also serves as a key indicator of Dubai’s success in overcoming the challenges that the pandemic has posed, and moving in the right direction towards achieving a full recovery of the aviation industry. The event will display how the UAE holds an important position as an international aviation hub and a gateway between Asia, Africa and Europe, among others.

Taking centre stage at the show will be the different technologies that enhance safety and accelerate efficiency. They will play a key role in the aviation, aerospace and defence industries getting back to business following the pandemic. A great experience awaits the industry as they once again gear up to network, discuss the future of the industry and do business at the Dubai Airshow, organised by Tarsus Middle East. There will be a high number of attendees from the defence industry at the airshow.

“The entire aerospace and defence industry are extremely excited to get back to face-to-face events. This will be the first large-scale aerospace event globally since Dubai Airshow 2019 and the onset of the pandemic,” said Timothy Hawes, Managing Director at Tarsus F&E, in an interview with Arabian Knight.

Dubai Airshow 2021 will bring economic and industry trends together for discussion and analysis. It is set to be one of the most anticipated points of convergence for aerospace professionals across all areas of the industry to facilitate successful global trade and assess the future of the industry, said Hawes.

Dubai is one of the first few cities in the world to safely and effectively restart the events sector, hence event organisers are ensuring full compliance with the wide range of precautionary measures to maintain everyone’s health and wellbeing, he said allaying any fears over the pandemic.

“Dubai Airshow is taking the right steps and actions to make sure that our exhibitors and participants don’t have any concerns about the show. The whole industry has shown great confidence in Dubai Airshow 2021, and we look forward to welcoming all our exhibitors and visitors to the show in November,” said Hawes.

Dubai Airshow 2021 is expected to welcome a big number of global exhibitors, featuring over 20 country pavilions. One of the biggest highlights of the show will be the static park and flying display, which will feature the world’s most advanced aircraft on ground and in the air.

The airshow will see a major presence from local, regional, and global aerospace companies, who will showcase their new products and technologies, pave the way for aerospace startups to grow, share their industry knowledge, and take part in business partnerships.

Some of the local exhibitors include EDGE Group, Mubadala, Etihad Airways, and others. In addition, some of the key global exhibitors include Airbus, Boeing, Embraer, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and Honeywell, among others. Major Saudi aerospace players will also take part in the event, including: General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), Saudi Space Commission, Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), and more.

The show will have new country pavilions from Israel, Czech Republic, Australia, Belgium, with others looking promising as well. It will also have new companies, including Rafael, Elbit, Kelley Aerospace, Accenture, Eurosam, NAFFCO, G42, M4, and more. Global key exhibitors who have been part of the previous airshows will also be taking part in this year’s event.

During the previous show in 2019, the event’s static display drew 161 aircraft and the show reported on site orders worth $54.5 billion.

BUSINESS AVIATION

Business aviation is one of the key sectors that will be represented at the event, with 30 per cent of the attendance being involved in that part of the industry, said Hawes. Key names in business aviation that will be taking part in Dubai Airshow 2021 include Airbus, Boeing, Airports World Company, CAE, Citadel Completions, Comlux, Dassault Aviation, Embraer, Emojet, Gainjet Aviation, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, and Pilatus Aircraft.

“Dubai Airshow will play a critical role in accelerating the recovery of aviation business and meeting the commercial goals of business aircraft operators. Through participating at Dubai Airshow 2021, business aviation companies will have access to a platform where they can showcase their latest business and private aviation products and solutions, network with leading international business and private aviation travel operators, strengthen existing customer relationships, and position their company as an industry leader,” he said.

Apart from the usual world-class aerospace event that visitors have come to expect from Dubai Airshow, a number of exciting new sectors and feature areas will be part of this year’s show, which will have a major focus on new technologies. There will be a brand-new conference stage, Tech Xplore, which will highlight how emerging technologies are helping reboot aviation and changing the entire flying experience. There will be new conferences focusing on trending aerospace topics like advanced aerial mobility, sustainability, and space, air traffic and cargo.

Dubai Airshow 2021 will also serve as a major platform for supporting startups, via the new East-West startup hub VISTA, which will give startups access to mentorship programmes and a chance to meet with vital decision makers and globally ranked investors to launch, grow and scale their startups. The upcoming airshow will also include fish tank talks, guided tours, as well as meetings on the runway, said Hawes.