Flyhigh Magazine

Dubai Airshow dazzles with landmark deals

Building on the momentum of its opening day, day two of Dubai Airshow 2023 soared to new heights at Dubai World Central (DWC), the Dubai Airshow site. The day was marked by a flurry of landmark deals and ground-breaking announcements, further cementing the event's status as a pivotal platform for the global aerospace, space, and defense industries.

Key industry leaders, decision-makers, and innovators engaged in high-level discussions, explored new partnerships and showcased the latest technological advancements. With over 1,400 exhibitors from more than 95 countries and a stunning array of over 190 aircraft on static display, the Airshow continues to shape the future of aerospace.

New aircraft orders continued during day two, as EGYPTAIR announced an order for 10 new Airbus A350-900s, providing the airline with 25% less fuel burn and, in turn, reduced emissions. Meanwhile, Oman Air announced an order and delivery of the operator's first 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF), its first dedicated cargo aircraft, S**T Airlines announced an order for seven Boeing 737-8 airplanes, and Ethiopian Airlines made a commitment to order 11 Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 20 Boeing 737 MAX airplanes, with an opportunity for 15 and 21 additional jets, respectively, representing the largest-ever purchase of Boeing airplanes in African history.

Following yesterday’s order for 30 787-9 Dreamliners, today flydubai also signed a multi-year agreement with engine-maker CFM's LEAP-1B engines to support its growth plans as it takes delivery of more than 130 aircraft over the next few years. Day two also saw Emirates airline sign deals with Safran worth over US$1.2 billion for Emirates’ new fleet of Airbus A350, Boeing 777X-9 and existing Boeing 777-300 aircraft.

Timothy Hawes, Managing Director of Tarsus Middle East, commented: "Day two of the Dubai Airshow 2023 has surpassed our expectations, setting a new standard for global aerospace events. The dynamic atmosphere was charged with ground-breaking deals and strategic partnerships, reflecting the vibrant evolution of the aerospace sector. The new innovations and significant deals not only highlighted the industry's commitment to sustainable and efficient future growth, but also underscored the Airshow’s role as a catalyst for shaping the future of aerospace. We are excited and optimistic about the potential collaborations and developments that the next few days will bring, as we continue to foster a space for innovation and progress."

In line with a key theme of for this year’s Airshow, localisation, day two also saw the signing of an agreement between Airbus and Mubadala to provide internship opportunities for Emirati senior university students in the area of engineering. Over the next three years, a total of 12 Emirati senior engineering students will be hosted at the Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, France, where they will perform their internship under the supervision of Airbus experts and specialists.