Dubai Air Show 2021

Boeing Chinook at Dubai Air Show.

Boeing 777X flying display at the Dubai Air Show.

Airbus has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Jazeera Airways, the Kuwait-based carrier, for 20 A320neos and eight A321neos. The MoU was signed by Rohit Ramachandran, Jazeera Airways Chief Executive Officer and Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus International.

Marwan Boodai, Chairman Jazeera Airways said, "Jazeera Airways is pleased to extend its long-term relationship with Airbus further with this significant new order. We will effectively double our current fleet size to 35 aircraft by 2026. The airline has pulled out of the pandemic strongly in Q3 with a return to profitability. We have exciting expansion plans ahead, which will further boost our contribution to the Kuwait economy and in particular the travel sector."
"We are proud to extend our partnership with Jazeera Airways through this latest agreement which will add an additional 28 Airbus aircraft to its all Airbus fleet", said Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer, and Head of Airbus International. “The A320neo Family is without doubt the best platform to support Jazeera Airways’ growth plans. This is the perfect illustration of how Airbus helps escort the growth of its successful customers."

Akwa Ibom state government owned airline in Nigeria, Ibom Air has signed a firm order for ten (10) A220s at the Dubai Airshow. The signing was done by Mfon Udom, the chief Executive Officer of Ibom Air, and Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus International in the presence of the Akwa Ibom state Governor, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel. Nigeria, with the largest population in Africa and the largest GDP, offers substantial growth potential in both domestic and regional travel. The A220 is therefore the ideal choice for a full range of services from very short-haul segments to intra-continental air routes.

"It gives me great pleasure to be here to announce Ibom Air’s order for 10 Airbus A220s", said Mfon Udom, CEO of Ibom. "As an organization, we at Ibom Air are delighted with the steep growth we have achieved in just over two and a half years since we commenced operations, a growth chiefly driven by the massive embrace of our product and brand by the Nigerian domestic flying public. The addition of the A220 to our fleet will support our growth strategy and boost operational efficiency. It will also offer our passengers more space and enhanced cabin experience, as a value add for choosing us."

The Pilatus PC-7 MKX was unveiled to the public for the first time in the static display area at Dubai Air Show 2021 from. In order to see it appointments for hosted viewings can be made at the Pilatus Pavilion S7.

Brazilian airframer Embraer marked a modest Dubai Air Show for them with an order for 6 E175s. These came from Nigerian carrier Overland Airways who made firm purchase order for 3 while having the rights to purchase another three. This is a company with a hybrid strategy in terms of being a scheduled flight airline as well as a charter operator.

At the ongoing Dubai Air Show, Emirates Airlines and engine manufacturer GE Aviation signed an MoU to operate a test flight that is powered by SAF. By the end of next year the aim is to have the 777-300er testbed to be operating on 100% SAF. Both companies are trying to be as green as possible and help the trend of increased SAF continue and grow as decarbonization is the word on everyone's lips.

Sam Chui goes aboard the experimental 777X that is at the Dubai Air Show.

Boeing P-8A Poseidon.

AURUS bizjet was on show at the Dubai Air Show.

Dassault aviation while at the show this year.

The static display featured a Rafale C combat aircraft and a Falcon 8X business jet (which flew from France with sustainable aviation fuel). The Rafale took part in the flying display every day and was presented by the French Air and Space Force, which operates a detachment of Rafales at Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE.

Winners of the Dubai Air Show... according to Coby Explanes.

Etihad Airways at the Dubai Air Show.

Regional turboprop manufacturer ATR was also at the Dubai Air Show and they received some orders while there, 29 to be precise. They also announced a new engine that will be on the ATR, the new PW127XT engine which Air Corsica will be the launch customer for with five ATR 72-600 aircraft which is at least 10 new PW127XT engines.

Dubai Air Show was highly successful for Airbus, the airframer raked in 408 aircraft orders and commitments (269 firm orders and 139 commitments). Also an order for the newly launch A350F variant.

More news trickling out of the recently held Dubai Air Show. Boeing managed to nab an order from Air Tanzania that calls for a 787-8 Dreamliner, 767-300F and two 737-8 MAX.

Boeing...

Sam Chui peruses the Irkut MC-21 and the Sukhoi business jet, the AURUS.