Dubai Airshow tips

After a large number of aircraft orders were announced on day one between Boeing and its customers, Airbus took the podium for a customer announcement on day two of the Dubai Airshow. 

Intense storms and flash floods in the Middle East city of Dubai this Friday morning have halted its events calendar. Across the country, storms began at around 4am local time, with Dubai Police and other authorities issuing public safety warnings shortly after. The National Centre of Meteorology issued orange and yellow alerts nationwide, cautioning residents about potentially dangerous weather conditions for outdoor activities.

Emirates today announced an order for 15 additional Airbus A350-900s during the fourth day of the Dubai Airshow 2023, taking the Emirates’ total A350 order book to 65 units.

On the second day of the Dubai Airshow, it got quieter than opening day. Day 1 brought more than 200 aircraft orders, and a steady stream continued to be announced. They mostly went to Boeing again. 

The chief operating officer of Saudi Arabia’s new airline, Riyadh Air, doesn’t expect the carrier will become a “super-connecter” but will focus instead on “point-to-point” travel. And COO Peter Bellew told at the Dubai Airshow Tuesday that Ryadh Air will meet different needs than nearby Emirates.

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Saudi Arabia’s two national carriers, Riyadh Air and Saudia have entered a partnership that will start with a codeshare agreement, but go on to include much more collaborative efforts. The pair of Kingdom carriers announced the deal at the Dubai Airshow taking place in the emirate this week.

The first day of the Dubai Airshow was Monday and Boeing won the day. The aircraft manufacturer received orders, big and small, from five customers, while Airbus announced only one order. 

Saudi Arabia’s latest national carrier Riyadh Air has shown off its second livery at Dubai Airshow. While its first livery was a striking all-over purple design, the second is more subtle, which, according to the airline “reflects purity and the future-focused vision of Saudi Arabia.”

The 18th edition of the Dubai Airshow is expected to be massive in order announcements from regional airlines, who are all usually big spenders and mostly in the market for widebody aircraft. A mega order from Turkish Airlines or a big order for the 777X was expected to kickstart the airshow.

Dubai’s national carrier Emirates has ordered an additional 90 aircraft from Boeing in a $52 billion mega-deal the entire industry was waiting for today. Announced on day one of the Dubai Airshow, the deal brings Emirates’ total orders to 295 aircraft.

The 18th Dubai Airshow is upon us, and this year’s is setting up as a contest between UAE and Saudi Arabia – which country will order more aircraft?