Dubai Airshow 2025: Big players, top tech, aviation innovations unveiled
Registration is now open for the 19th edition of the Dubai Airshow, set to take place from 17 to 21 November 2025 at Dubai World Central. The landmark event returns with a focus on advancing innovation, enhancing connectivity, and shaping the future of the global aviation and defence sectors.
Read-
Building on its reputation as one of the world's most influential aerospace events, Dubai Airshow 2025 will serve as a critical platform for accelerating cutting-edge technologies and fostering cross-sector collaboration. The show will reflect the UAE's bold vision for aviation, aligning with the sector's rapid growth trajectory,
According to recent data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the aviation industry contributes approximately $92bn to the UAE's GDP, accounting for 18.2 per cent of the total. The Middle East's commercial aircraft fleet is projected to grow by 5.1 per cent annually over the next decade, underlining the region's expanding role in global aviation.
Global platform for transformation
Major General Dr Mubarak Saeed bin Ghafan Al Jabri, Executive Director of the Military Committee organizing Dubai Airshow, emphasised the event's importance in spotlighting the UAE's leadership in both aviation and defence.
'As the industry evolves rapidly, the Ministry of Defence remains committed to building future-ready capabilities and fostering innovation,' he said. 'Empowering the next generation of talent is central to this vision, ensuring the UAE stays at the forefront of global development.'
One of the highlights of this year's show will be a first-of-its-kind networking event hosted directly on the runway. Held in partnership with SkyDive Dubai, this exclusive gathering will bring together top international aviation figures in a dynamic setting that blends entertainment with informal engagement. Attendees can expect drone light shows, skydiving performances, live DJ sets, and premium hospitality experiences.
First-ever night programming
In a first for the Dubai Airshow, the 2025 edition will introduce night-time programming. Scheduled for the second day of the show, this unique experience will extend activities until 9:00 PM, giving attendees extra time to explore the static aircraft displays, attend evening receptions, and enjoy immersive aerial displays under the stars.
The night programming is designed to deepen engagement while showcasing the sector's innovation in an entirely new light.
Innovation, sustainability, and future talent
Dubai Airshow 2025 will once again spotlight industry innovation and sustainability. As aviation organizations worldwide prioritize the transition to greener, more efficient technologies, sustainability will be a key theme across exhibits, panels, and features.
The return of VISTA, the leading hub for aerospace start-ups, will highlight the role of emerging companies in transforming aviation and space. Alongside this, the NextGen Leaders Programme and the newly introduced Academy will provide professional development, mentorship, and hands-on training opportunities for aspiring industry professionals.
The Aerospace Executive Club will convene senior leaders to discuss current trends, economic strategies, and global cooperation efforts. Delegates will benefit from curated programming and access to one of the industry's most comprehensive business matchmaking systems. Powered by AI through the official Dubai Airshow app, the system is designed to connect participants efficiently, fostering meaningful partnerships.
Co-hosted by the UAE Ministry of Defence, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, and the Government of Dubai, the show's extensive delegation programme will facilitate strategic engagement across civil, military, and commercial domains.
Engaging the public: Skyview returns
Skyview, the only event of its kind in the UAE open to the public, will also return for the 2025 edition. Expected to attract over 15,000 visitors across five days, Skyview will offer attendees exclusive access to live flying displays, interactive exhibits, and a variety of entertainment experiences.
Global leadership and future outlook
Timothy Hawes, Managing Director of Informa Markets, which organizes the event, emphasized the Airshow's pivotal role in shaping the aviation and defence sectors.
'Dubai Airshow has always focused on progress and connectivity,' said Hawes. 'The 2025 edition will be our most future-forward to date—uniting global industry players through meaningful initiatives that support innovation, education, and regional growth strategies.'
He added that the show's youth engagement efforts are expanding through educational programmes, networking opportunities, and tech showcases aimed at inspiring the next generation of aviation professionals.
With registration now open, stakeholders from across the global aerospace ecosystem are invited to secure their place at the Dubai Airshow 2025—an event poised to influence the next chapter of aviation, defence, and space innovation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
3 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE spending surge anticipated heading into Dubai Summer Surprises 2025
As the UAE gears up for another season of Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS), new data reveals a sharp increase in digital spending during last year's campaign, with signals pointing to even greater momentum this summer. The number of daily digital transactions in the UAE jumped by 25% year-on-year during the DSS 2024 period, while consumers also spent more per transaction, with average ticket sizes growing by 16% year-on-year, according to data from A closer look at the data uncovers deeper consumer behaviour shifts. Spending on interior furnishings rose notably last year, suggesting that many residents used the summer period and DSS sales as an opportunity to upgrade their homes. Recreation-related categories also spiked, indicating an increase in families opting for local leisure experiences during the school break. The toys and sporting goods sector saw heightened activity as parents looked to keep children engaged through the hotter months, while education spending climbed as families paid school tuition and stocked up for the academic year ahead. Notably, the automotive category also saw a summer boost, driven by seasonal promotions on vehicles and related services. own processing volumes in the UAE rose by 44% during last year's DSS, reflecting a broader shift toward online-first lifestyles and growing consumer trust in digital payments across high-intent seasonal moments. These insights are consistent with latest State of Digital Commerce in MENA 2025 report, which found 62% of UAE consumers plan to increase their online shopping next year, and 44% now say that they shop for better options online even while browsing in-store. 'Dubai Summer Surprises continues to act as a key catalyst for digital commerce in the region,' said Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo, General Manager for MENA at 'From household upgrades to family recreation and back-to-school prep, the data shows UAE consumers turning to digital channels to meet both everyday needs and high-value purchases. With the growth we've seen year over year, we expect 2025 to break even more records.' As the region continues to lead in digital commerce adoption, the summer months are proving to be peak moments for merchants to connect with digitally savvy consumers driven by speed, convenience, and seamless online experiences.
Khaleej Times
3 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
From niche to mainstream: Why Islamic finance is critical to the UAE's future development
Islamic finance is no longer a regional curiosity; it is becoming part of the structural foundation of global financial systems. Once confined to a handful of markets and perceived as serving a niche clientele, Islamic banking was often seen as parallel to, rather than integrated with, the global financial mainstream. This shift reflects a growing recognition of its ethical foundations, structural resilience, and alignment with evolving global economic priorities. Within the UAE, both Dubai and Abu Dhabi are increasingly recognised as critical global financial hubs. This has been driven in recent years by successful economic diversification underpinned by a fast-growing financial services sector and infrastructure aligned with international best practice. Islamic finance has an integral role to play in enabling cross-border market accessibility and diversifying domestic funding sources to support the next phase of financial services development in the UAE. Standard Chartered's latest report, Islamic Banking for Financial Institutions: Unlocking Growth Amidst Global Shifts, reveals that global Islamic finance assets are on track to surpass $7.5 trillion by 2028, up from $5.5 trillion in 2024. This represents an impressive 36 per cent asset growth over the next four years. Rising financial volatility, growing calls for sustainability, and demand for inclusive, ethical finance have brought Islamic banking into sharper global focus. The UAE is at the forefront of this shift, publishing a set of Guiding Principles for sustainability in Islamic financial institutions in 2023 that encourage industry participants to integrate sustainability ambitions into their practices and processes. Recent progress has shown that these values are resonating more than ever with governments, corporates, and investors seeking resilient and inclusive financial frameworks in the UAE and across the MENA region. Islamic banking now accounts for over 70 per cent of total Islamic finance assets and is set to grow from $4 trillion in 2024 to $5.2 trillion by 2028. Meanwhile, the Sukuk market, a vital liquidity tool for governments and institutions, is projected to reach nearly $1.5 trillion. The UAE was one of several countries to make short-term treasury sukuks available in recent years, as they are considered among the most effective tools for fund raising in Islamic money markets. The overall growth in Islamic finance assets highlights shifting preferences, deeper institutional integration, and rising global demand for sustainable finance. This shift also reflects a broader change in mindset. Islamic finance is no longer seen as 'alternative finance,' but as strategic finance, a model that can integrate into the portfolios of global asset managers and the frameworks of sovereign wealth funds. Since the pandemic, the emergence of Islamic digital banks in countries including the UAE has been testament to this. At Standard Chartered, we view this moment as a call to action. As the only international bank with a global Islamic banking franchise, Standard Chartered Saadiq, we are uniquely positioned to partner with financial institutions, corporates, and clients across more than 25 markets, from the UAE to the UK and Africa. From helping institutions meet liquidity requirements to supporting green Sukuk issuances, we are enabling the next chapter of growth in Islamic finance. Yet, with opportunity comes responsibility. The next phase of growth in Islamic banking will depend on how well the industry addresses existing challenges. Regulatory harmonisation across jurisdictions, improved liquidity management mechanisms, and a renewed focus on product innovation are all essential. The journey of Islamic banking reflects growing prominence in the UAE, the broader MENA region and across international markets. As the world becomes more focused on resilience, sustainability, and inclusive prosperity, Islamic finance offers a model that speaks to both values and performance. The work ahead lies in deepening collaboration, improving consistency across markets, and continuing to innovate in ways that serve real economic needs. At Standard Chartered, we are committed to enabling that journey and see this as an opportunity and a responsibility to support our clients, strengthen communities, and help shape a more balanced and purpose-driven financial future for the UAE as an increasingly critical global financial hub serving international markets. The writer is CEO, Group Islamic Banking, Standard Chartered
Khaleej Times
4 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
A CISO's guide to securing XIoT in the Middle East
The rapid expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT) is reshaping the physical and digital contours of modern infrastructure. From biometric gates at international airports to infusion pumps at hospitals, from ubiquitous surveillance devices to office peripherals of a mundane kind — the networked device universe is ubiquitous and exposed. This interconnected network offers clear functional benefits. However, as more devices communicate with each other, there are more entry points for cyberattacks. The numbers are staggering. The Middle East IoT market is projected to grow from $43.99 billion to $241.65 billion by 2030, a 449 per cent increase. Saudi Arabia alone commands nearly 40 per cent of the regional market, generating $10.22 billion in revenues. Yet, as organisations embrace XIoT (extended Internet of Things), security risks escalate. The Middle East saw a 211 per cent rise in Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks in 2024, while the average cost of a cyber breach now stands at $8.75 million. Mega-breaches — those affecting 50 to 60 million records — have soared to $375 million, up $43 million from 2023. To fully benefit from the tremendous value of IoT devices, they need to be secured and managed effectively. Proper security management ensures devices are protected from cyber threats, minimising vulnerabilities that attackers exploit. This involves comprehensive visibility into device usage, regular updates to firmware, strong authentication methods, and proactive monitoring to detect and respond swiftly to security incidents. Organisations should invest in robust cybersecurity frameworks to harness IoT's full potential safely and sustainably. For the modern CISO, the mandate extends beyond protection to building a resilient cybersecurity strategy — one that ensures rapid detection, response, and recovery. In today's threat landscape, resilience isn't optional; it's a strategic necessity for business continuity and trust. 1. Know what you own: The XIoT visibility challenge You cannot protect what you cannot see. Many organisations have thousands of connected devices, yet few have a complete inventory. From smart cameras to industrial sensors, these silent operators are often neglected, leaving security gaps. S teps to take: • Catalogue every device – Identify all XIoT endpoints across departments, from IT to operational technology (OT). • Assess security measures – Check for outdated firmware, default passwords, and unpatched vulnerabilities. • Engage stakeholders – Hold cross-functional meetings with IT, OT, and physical security teams to ensure all devices are accounted for. Visibility is the foundation of security. Without a real-time asset inventory, XIoT security is a guessing game. 2. Automate security fixes: Stay ahead of the threats Manual patching is a losing battle. With multiple vendors, different operating systems, and legacy devices, keeping up with security updates is impossible without automation. What to automate: • Eliminate default logins – Many devices ship with 'admin/admin' credentials. These must be changed immediately. • Firmware updates – Some vulnerabilities, like those in Z-Wave chipsets, require urgent patching. If updates are unavailable, devices must be segmented. • Standardise security settings – Enforce encryption, secure boot, and endpoint monitoring across all connected devices. • Pro tip: Not all XIoT devices can be patched. If an update is unavailable, limit access and segment networks to reduce risk. 3. Continuous monitoring: The watchtower approach Static defences are not enough. Attackers are evolving, and so must security teams. Continuous monitoring provides real-time visibility into suspicious behaviours, unauthorised access attempts, and misconfigured devices. Best practices: • Monitor device behaviour – Use AI-driven analytics to flag unusual activity, such as an XIoT device suddenly communicating with an unknown server. • Establish incident workflows – Ensure that alerts from security operation centers (SOCs) reach the right teams in real time — whether IT, OT, or physical security. • Leverage threat intelligence – Study patterns of attempted intrusions to adjust defenses accordingly. XIoT security is not just about detection — it's about rapid response. A CISO's playbook for XIoT security Securing XIoT in the Middle East demands a dynamic, strategic approach that matches the scale and speed of the growing threat landscape. The region's digital economy is accelerating, and the volume of connected devices is rapidly multiplying. To stay ahead, CISOs must proactively identify assets, automate defences, consistently monitor threats, and swiftly enforce response frameworks. Speed and scalability are critical organisations must transition swiftly from reactive strategies to proactive, automated, and ultimately autonomous security operations. Ultimately, it is leadership, not just technology, that drives robust xIoT security. By positioning cybersecurity as a long-term strategic investment, organisations can protect infrastructure, ensure operational resilience, maintain trust, and unlock the benefits of digital transformation safely. In our increasingly connected world, proactive protection is no longer optional — it's the smarter path forward. The writer is Middle East & Africa Vice President at Phosphorus Cybersecurity.
