Spotlight on sustainability at the Dubai Airshow 2019
Diversity and sustainability on the agenda, along with opulence and luxury at this year’s Dubai Airshow
Clean skies, green initiatives and gender diversity were some of the key themes at…
Diversity and sustainability on the agenda, along with opulence and luxury at this year’s Dubai Airshow
Clean skies, green initiatives and gender diversity were some of the key themes at the Dubai Airshow 2019.
This year’s event welcomed 1,300 companies from 160 countries. As well as taking in the exhibits on the ground, visitors could see the latest aircraft from manufacturers such as a Boeing, Airbus and Russian Helicopters, plus breathtaking displays from aerobatic teams such as UK-based The Blades and UAE’s Al Fursan in the daily flying displays.
Sustainability was championed by both the organisers and the exhibitors. Electric buggies and segways were used to move visitors around the show. Exhibitors including Etihad and Boeing spearheaded the sector’s move towards reducing emissions with their green liner and the world’s first eco-friendly air race – Air Race E – was also launched.
The EDGE brings advanced technology to UAE aerospace sector
As well as established names, the Show brought the opportunity to introduce newcomers including tech conglomerate, The EDGE, which is set to accelerate disruptive technology within the UAE’s aerospace sector. The EDGE also became the Dubai Airshow’s first advanced technology partner.
Diversity was one of the event’s hot topics and was seen as key to the future of space exploration, not only in the UAE, but across the globe. France’s first female astronaut Claudie Haigneré called on the next generation of women to chase their dreams – and to be bold and brave.
Another former astronaut also inspiring the next generation was Colonel Al Warden, who was at the show to present the very first Astronaut Al Warden Endeavor Scholarship, a global initiative which will send Emirati students to astronaut training the US space camp
Milestones, deals and launches
Deals, milestones and launches were also celebrated. Embraer, which has been celebrating its fiftieth anniversary year in 2019, made headlines as they showcased the largest number of aircraft on this year’s static display. Also on show was the company’s new Praetor mid size business jet, the first of its kind to be equipped with full fly by wire and turbulence reduction technologies.
The Saab GlobalEye also made its debut, boasting a detection range of more than 300 nautical miles. The multi-sensor surveillance system monitors air, land and sea and is set for delivery to its first customer in the first half of 2020.
