While the world is still in the throes of the Covid-19 pandemic and the aerospace industry remains one of the worst-hit, there is some great news coming out of Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi International Airshow 2021 is on and it is going to be much bigger than the previous one, actually double in size.

The first airshow of the new year, running from February 16 to 18, will have more than 100,000 sq m of surface exhibition space, two new exhibition halls, in addition to the existing hall and a static display.

The second edition of the airshow, being held under the patronage of HRH Prince Sultan bin Salman Al Saud, Chairman of Saudi Space Commission and first Arab astronaut in space in 1985, will introduce three new areas and conferences during the three-day event: Space/Satellite; UAV/ Robotics; and Aviation Training.

Despite Covid-19 and several months of slow business, many requests for exhibiting have been received and many of the world’s top aerospace and aviation companies have confirmed their commitment to the airshow, said show organisers.

The airshow will be held at the Thumamah Airport, located 35 minutes from King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh.

It will host a range of business, general, commercial aviation and aerospace exhibitors. The show area will accommodate more than 100 aircraft ranging in size from single-engine and executive jets to commercial wide-body aircraft. The show offers chalets located next to the runway to enable manufacturers to present their entire range of aircraft and to facilitate demonstration flights.

Two exhibition halls will host more than 450 exhibitors and international pavilions that will showcase a full range of aviation and aerospace services and products to some 45,000 trade attendees.

International pavilions representing countries such as the US, France, the UK, Russia, China, and the Czech Republic will have dedicated zones at the show.

Meanwhile, Kallman Worldwide, the global leader in organising US participation at the most influential international trade events, will help strengthen the show’s American industry presence through its USA Partnership Pavilion.

The USA Partnership Pavilion will form the largest international contingent at the show, presenting a broad range of products, capabilities and innovative solutions for aerospace manufacturing, assembly, operations, and maintenance.