Emirates Airline and Group Chairman and Chief Executive Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said Dubai Airshow has made major strides since its inception in 1989 to develop into one of the world’s prominent aviation and aerospace events.

 

He said the airshow’s ability to bring together 1,200 exhibitors, including 370 new ones, from 148 countries, this year is a testament to the importance international companies place on the mega industry event, Emirates News Agency WAM reported

 

"Companies in the sector are looking to the Dubai Airshow as an event that can help chart a new course for the industry following the pandemic," Sheikh Ahmed said and added it is the largest aviation and aerospace event to be held since the onset of the pandemic. 

 

He said the 17th edition of the event, which concludes on November 18, offers an opportunity for the industry to explore new partnerships and alliances. Dubai Airshow 2021 is expected to see many companies announcing deals for aircraft, services, infrastructure and defence worth billions of dollars.

 

"Emirates Airline will announce a number of deals related to aircraft and revamp of customer services during Dubai Airshow as part of the company’s strategy to raise quality standards. The company’s performance is linked to the further reopening of key destinations and the easing of travel restrictions across the world," the chairman said. 

 

Stressing that international co-operation is critical for the global aviation sector to return to pre-pandemic levels, Sheikh Ahmed said discussions are ongoing with authorities in various destinations worldwide to resume normal flight schedules.

 

Speaking about the UAE aviation industry and the outlook for Dubai airports, he said Dubai International Airport (DXB) is set to return to full operational capacity by next week, with the reopening of Concourse A, in a development that will provide a positive impetus to the aviation sector in the country.

 

He also expressed confidence that both Emirates and Dubai International Airport will return to pre-Covid levels of activity in the next 12 months. Efforts being made to co-ordinate with different countries and aviation authorities across the world will make this possible, he noted.

 

He also said Dubai authorities are working to restore the high passenger numbers before the pandemic, which saw DXB handling 90 million international passengers annually, making it one of the world’s busiest airports.

 

He commended Emirates SkyCargo for using its cargo transportation capabilities from both DXB and Al Maktoum Airport over the last two years to deliver aid supplies to many countries to help them combat the pandemic.

 

According to him, Emirates played a leading role in using its logistics infrastructure to transport vaccines, medical supplies and equipment around the world during the crisis.