Anwar Dawood, Staff Reporter / WAM
In the first largest aviation exhibition in the world held during COVID-19, the Dubai Airshow-2021 proved its global lead, after it recorded defence and commercial deals and contracts estimated at over Dhs286 billion with a 30% growth compared to the previous session in 2019, which saw deals amounted to about Dhs183.6 billion.
The 17th edition of Dubai Airshow coincided with the start of the recovery movement in the international aviation sector, after challenges that lasted about two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The firm's order deals, letters of intent, memoranda of understanding and purchase options included 490 commercial aircraft, 4 defence aircraft, and 100 helicopters.
The Dubai Airshow-2021 recorded on the first day about Dhs138 billion, Dhs63.5 billion on the second day, Dhs59.21 billion on the third day, Dhs 1.74 billion on the fourth day.
An Airbus A350 XWB aircraft performs a demonstration flight at the Dubai Airshow. AFP
Airbus acquired the lion’s share of orders and commitments, as the "A320" aircraft topped the list of sales during the exhibition, followed by the "Boeing 737 Max".
The value of Airbus deals in the Dubai Airshow-2021 is estimated at Dhs195 billion, while the confirmed orders for Boeing are estimated at Dhs42.1 billion.
Airbus recorded 408 orders and commitments, including 269 confirmed orders and 139 commitment contracts.
Visitors attend the 2021 Dubai Airshow.
On Thursday Mohammed Bin Ahmed Al Bowardi, Minister of State for Defence Affairs, visited the Dubai Airshow 2021, accompanied by senior officers and officials from the ministry.
During his tour, Al Bowardi visited the pavilions of several companies, where he was briefed by the exhibitors about their participation in the event.
The tour began with a visit to the pavilion of Sukhoi, which produces aircraft, and the Emirati company, Calidus, which manufactures aircraft and military equipment.
People visit to an Emirates Airline plane during the Dubai Airshow.
He also visited the pavilion of the Brazilian company, Embraer, which designs, develops and manufactures various types of aircraft and engines, and the American company, Lockheed-Martin, which designs and develops advanced technologies.
Al Bowardi then visited the pavilion of the Swedish company, Saab, which offers defence services and solutions, the pavilions of Canadian company CAE, along Airbus, European company MBDA, and the American company, Raytheon, which develops the latest e-devices and air defence systems.
At the end of the tour, Al Bowardi thanked members of the UAE's Al Fursan Display Team for their live performances at the event.
A senior UAE Armed Forces officer at Dubai Airshow.
On the fourth day of the Dubai Airshow 2021, the Ministry of Defence has announced the conclusion of seven deals worth Dhs1,742,429,000.00 with local and international companies.
This brings the total deals concluded during the first four days to 23 deals, with a total value of Dhs22,523,874,000.00. The deals of the first day amounted to Dhs5,239,207,000.00, the deals of the second day amounted to Dhs11,284,837,000.00, and the deals of the third day Dhs4,257,401,000.00.
This was announced in the presence of Major General Staff Pilot Ishaq Saleh Al Balushi, Executive Director of the Military Organizing Committee of the Dubai Airshow 2021 and Lt. Col. Pilot Sarah Hamad Al Hajari, official spokesman for the Dubai International Airshow 2021.