Dubai Airshow is set to return for its 17th edition on 14-18 November 2021 and will be held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president, Prime Minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai and UAE minister of defence.

One of the most successful air shows in the world, the event will be held with the support of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Dubai Airports, the UAE Ministry of Defence and Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects and organised by Tarsus F& E Middle East. The event will be the only air show of its kind to take place in a live format, highlighting Dubai’s leading response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the world-class safety measures implemented in the emirate.

Dubai Airshow will be the most important and critical point of convergence in 2021 where the future of global aerospace industry will be showcased and analysed. Welcoming experts from commercial and business aviation, defence and military, aircraft interiors, air traffic management, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), space and air cargo, the show will serve as an ideal platform for re-thinking strategies, navigating uncertainty and scaling up operations to ensure the smooth re-establishment of the industry in general.

According to latest IATA reports, the second half of 2021 is expected to see improvements after a difficult 2021 first half. Aggressive cost-cutting is expected to combine with increased travel demands during 2021, due to the re-opening of borders with testing and/or widespread availability of a vaccine, to see the industry turn cash-positive in the fourth quarter of 2021, which is earlier than previously forecasted.

A range of new features for Dubai Airshow have been confirmed, which include a strong focus on cutting edge technologies used in the aviation industry. The new Technology Showcase will provide a platform to exhibit the latest tech and will also include key conference programmes on topics such as 5G, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain. According to PWC, Blockchain could increase aviation industry revenue by $40 billion.

Tim Hawes, managing director of Tarsus F & E, commented: “The Dubai Airshow 2021 will demonstrate the evolution of the aerospace industry and the fast acceleration of digitalisation as a result of the pandemic. The event brings together the entire aerospace ecosystem, showcasing the latest technology and innovation from across the industry. The industry has been impacted significantly by Covid-19 and we are excited to use the Airshow as a platform to demonstrate the necessity of the aerospace and aviation industries and the potential for future growth and development.”