As Dubai Airshow 2021, the biggest global aviation event, opened on Sunday, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai put out tweet: “Dubai is back again, and the global aviation sector is returning through Dubai and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Sheikh Mohammed’s inspiring tweet lived up to the confidence it instilled since global aerospace firms shattered by a global pandemic signed commercial and defence contracts worth Dh.286.5 billion surpassing the previous edition’s total of over Dh.100 billion as the five-day, biennial event closed on Thursday.
The success of the mega event held at Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central that attracted 1,200 exhibitors with 371 new firms from 148 countries, of them 13 first-time participants, sends a strong message that the worst of the pandemic is over, and the world may finally be on the road to recovery.
Alaa Elshimy, managing director and senior vice president of Enterprises Business Group, Huawei Middle East says that the aviation sector which experienced disruption due to Covid-19 is seeing better than expected recovery. This and the admirable recovery of Dubai International Airport mean the Middle East will have a strong head-start over the competition, Elshimy added.
The Airshow that also featured more than 160 of the world’s most advanced aircraft on ground and in air had pitted two major manufacturers, namely Airbus and Boeing against each other in the crucial Middle-East market filled with long-haul carriers connecting the East and the West. The event, however, was dominated by Airbus with 408 aircraft orders – 269 firm and 139 commitments.
The US aircraft manufacturer Boeing also bagged a few orders including the mega Dh.33 billion-deal with India’s Akasa Air besides an agreement to sell two freighters with Emirates SkyCargo, a deal with Air Tanzania for four aircrafts and defence deals with the UAE companies. Akasa Air’s order includes two variants from the 737 MAX family, including the 737-8 and the high capacity 737-9-200.
The strong return of the aviation sector through Dubai Airshow has enthused the tourism sector, which sees this as a heartening development though the second half of the decade when most of the aircrafts will be delivered is a long time from now. Akasa Air CEO Vinay Dube further assures that India witnessing a strong recovery in air travel is expected to see decades of growth from now.
Source: The Times of India