Although demand from the commercial sector remains strong, more collaboration is needed to improve and stabilise the supply chain.

Over 200,000 delegates attended the five-day-long Dubai Airshow 2025, including more than 1,500 exhibitors, and more than 200 aircraft were on static display, ranging from commercial, private, and cargo platforms to eVTOLs, fighter jets, UAVs, missiles, and helicopters. The show included dynamic flying demonstrations from commercial aircraft, military jets, and national aerobatic teams, alongside notable first appearances from Joby Aviation’s eVTOL and COMAC’s C919.

Sentiment around commercial aircraft was positive, reflecting continued demand for new-generation models, with approximately 411 orders and commitments announced during the week. Boeing secured 175 commitments, primarily dominated by widebody demand, most notably Emirates’ purchase of 65 additional 777-9s, bringing its 777X backlog to 270 aircraft, and flydubai’s memorandum of understanding (MoU) for 75 orders of the 737 MAX with 75 options.

Airbus’ commitments totalled 224, leading the narrowbody segment with strong A321neo interest, including flydubai’s first-ever Airbus order for 150 A321neo family aircraft and Air Europa’s MoU for up to 40 A350-900s. Additional activity included Morocco’s order for 10 H225M helicopters and Bristow Group’s acquisition of five H160s for African offshore operations. Regional aircraft manufacturers also saw momentum, with Embraer, Helvetic Airways, and De Havilland Canada securing new agreements.

Defence activity at the Dubai Airshow 2025 centred on partnerships, localisation, and integrated systems rather than large platform procurements. Exhibitors showcased next-generation capabilities across avionics, satellites, unmanned systems, and layered air defence technologies, with announcements ranging from missile and sensor solutions to full-spectrum integrated air defence architectures and new joint production ventures.

UAE-defence giant EDGE Group (EDGE) was a dominant presence, unveiling new systems and announcing more than a dozen cooperation agreements, including partnerships with companies from Vietnam, South Korea, Spain, and Italy. The most significant was a wide-ranging cooperation agreement with Indonesia’s Republikorp, covering a comprehensive modernisation programme for the Indonesian Armed Forces, with total financing and procurement estimated at US$7Bn. EDGE also expanded its industrial footprint through a new joint venture with Leonardo to establish a UAE-based defence systems manufacturing entity from 2026.

Additional announcements included the award of AED3.8Bn (US$1.03Bn) in Ministry of Defence contracts to Tawazun Council and the confirmation by Pakistan of an export MoU for the JF-17 Block III fighter, reflecting the broad technological and geographic scope of defence engagement at the event.

Maintenance-repair-overhaul (MRO) and supply chain localisation were prominent themes, with multiple initiatives aimed at expanding regional capability. Across the industry, MRO announcements spanned engine overhauls, cabin interior manufacturing, avionics support, and regional heavy maintenance capacity.

Notable collaborations include Emirates and Safran’s advanced plans for a Dubai seat assembly plant, while Emirates’ agreement with Rolls-Royce brings A380 Trent 900 engine overhauls in-house under an extended TotalCare framework. GE Aerospace is committed to opening a US$50M GE9X maintenance facility in Dubai South by 2027, and GAMA Aviation announced a new business jet centre in Sharjah to support rising regional fleet growth.

Broader discussions across the show focused on four central questions for the sector: whether net zero is achievable, how advanced air mobility (AAM) can be safely integrated into congested airspace, how the industry can maintain continuity amid geopolitical tensions, and what role artificial intelligence (AI) will play in future airport operations.

Sustainability panels and airport technology showcases emphasised that net-zero pathways remain technically viable but depend heavily on large-scale sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production, infrastructure upgrades, and long-term regulatory alignment. The AAM track highlighted that meaningful urban air mobility deployment will require new unmanned traffic management (UTM) frameworks and AI-driven traffic management systems rather than incremental changes to today’s air traffic controller environment.

Geopolitical pressures and supply chain fragility were recurring concerns, with industry leaders noting that despite improved output in 2025, critical bottlenecks, parts shortages, certification delays, and supplier concentration continue to affect production stability. In contrast, the role of AI in airport operations was the clearest theme, demonstrated through Dubai’s use of biometric corridors, AI-enabled security screening, and predictive maintenance tools, reinforcing automation as a core enabler of future airport performance.

Across these discussions, a consistent message emerged: stabilising the aerospace supply chain will require closer coordination and collaboration between OEMs, regulators, and smaller suppliers. Stakeholders stressed the need to expand the qualified supplier base and accelerate certification processes, acknowledging that meaningful progress may only materialise closer to 2030.

Overall, the Dubai Airshow 2025 achieved record-breaking deals worth over US$202Bn, highlighting sustained commercial demand, accelerating fleet modernisation, and a decisive shift toward regional manufacturing, MRO capability, and integrated defence–industrial development.

These insights are included in Project Blue’s aerospace model, which tracks parts, alloys, and raw material demand by aircraft across commercial, private, and military deliveries and forecasts. To learn more about aerospace supply chain analytics, please reach out to our team and join us at the Aerospace & Defence Critical Materials Conference in Washington, DC, in May 2026.