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Welcome to ZAWYA’s live coverage of the first day of the Dubai Airshow 2017, where we’ll bring you all the news, interviews and insights from the region's largest aviation showcase. For all the latest news in the run up to the event check out our special coverage page.
16:30
Despite rumours of an imminent A380 order by Emirates, no further announcements are scheduled by the Dubai carrier for Sunday, but could not be ruled out later in the week, Reuters said. "Emirates are still talking to Airbus about it. There are no promises," a Gulf source told Reuters.
15:15
Higher oil prices are boosting demand for civil helicopters in the Middle East, Andrey Boginsky, CEO of Russian Helicopters told Reuters. "Oil prices are increasing, so we can forecast demand will increase for offshore purposes as well as for medical and general purposes," he was quoted as saying.
15:00
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai today issued the following post (in Arabic) on his official Twitter account: “We have launched today from Al Maktoum International Airport the biggest edition in the history of Dubai Airshow that we had started in 1989.. 1,200 civil and military aviation companies.. 260 official delegations..72,000 aerospace specialists..”
14:45
Dubai's Emirates has announced a $15.1 billion order for 40 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, it was announced on Sunday. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and CEO of Emirates airline and Group, was quoted as saying in a press statement: “Emirates’ orders today will be delivered from 2022, taking the airline well into the 2030s. Some of these will be replacements so that we maintain a young and efficient fleet, and others will power our future network growth."
13:50
The United Arab Emirates has announced a 6 billion UAE dirham ($1.633 billion) deal with Lockhead Martin to modernise its F-16 jet fighters, Reuters reported. Yesterday, a senior air force official said the country was interested in fifth-generation fighter jets, which typically includes advanced stealth capability.
13:15
Dubai-based Jetex Flight Support is to start offering services at Muscat International Airport and Salaleh International Airport. The official signing is taking place today with Jetex CEO and President Adel Mardini and Sheikh Aimen Al Hosni, CEO of Oman Airports.
12:45
A battle for orders has erupted as Europe's Airbus and its U.S. arch-rival Boeing prepared to fire opening salvos worth almost $30 billion, Reuters reported.
Airbus was widely expected to announce a fresh order worth $16 billion at list prices for the world's largest passenger jet, the A380, from Dubai's Emirates, injecting new life into its soft-selling superjumbo programme.
But sources told Reuters Boeing could try to upstage its European competitor by grabbing a surprise early order worth $12-13 billion for its 787-10 Dreamliner.
11:15
Hollywood actress Jennifer Aniston was the face of Emirates' last two major marketing campaigns, but British car journalist Jeremy Clarkson was unveiled on Sunday as the Dubai airline's latest celebrity recruit.
"You may not like him, but most people find him amusing, sometimes a little irritating, but he is very impactful," Emirates President Tim Clark was quoted as saying in a report by Reuters. Clarkson will feature in publicity material for the airline's new first-class suites.
10:45
Asked at a news conference on the launch of a new first-class cabin whether Emirates would place an A380 order at the show, Emirates president Tim Clark said, "maybe, maybe not", according to a report by Reuters.
09:30
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, executives from Boeing sought to dispel concerns about a slowdown in the growth of Gulf airlines. "Traffic is coming back and yields are improving and this is going to be a very positive backdrop to the Dubai Airshow," Marty Bentrott, vice president for Boeing's commercial sales in the region, said, according to a report by Reuters.
09:00
So what can we expect to be announced today? Here is the schedule of press conferences for day one:
8:00 Emirates Airline
13:00 - 13:45 Boeing Company
13:00 - 13:45 UAE Ministry of Defense
14:00 - 14:45 Boeing Company Defense Aircraft
14:00 - 14:45 Boom Supersonic
15:00 - 15:45 Boeing Company Defense Aircraft
15:00 - 15:45 Airbus
16:00 - 16:45 CEFA Aviation
16:30
Despite rumours of an imminent A380 order by Emirates, no further announcements are scheduled by the Dubai carrier for Sunday, but could not be ruled out later in the week, Reuters said. "Emirates are still talking to Airbus about it. There are no promises," a Gulf source told Reuters.
15:15
Higher oil prices are boosting demand for civil helicopters in the Middle East, Andrey Boginsky, CEO of Russian Helicopters told Reuters. "Oil prices are increasing, so we can forecast demand will increase for offshore purposes as well as for medical and general purposes," he was quoted as saying.
15:00
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai today issued the following post (in Arabic) on his official Twitter account: “We have launched today from Al Maktoum International Airport the biggest edition in the history of Dubai Airshow that we had started in 1989.. 1,200 civil and military aviation companies.. 260 official delegations..72,000 aerospace specialists..”
14:45
Dubai's Emirates has announced a $15.1 billion order for 40 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, it was announced on Sunday. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and CEO of Emirates airline and Group, was quoted as saying in a press statement: “Emirates’ orders today will be delivered from 2022, taking the airline well into the 2030s. Some of these will be replacements so that we maintain a young and efficient fleet, and others will power our future network growth."
13:50
The United Arab Emirates has announced a 6 billion UAE dirham ($1.633 billion) deal with Lockhead Martin to modernise its F-16 jet fighters, Reuters reported. Yesterday, a senior air force official said the country was interested in fifth-generation fighter jets, which typically includes advanced stealth capability.
13:15
Dubai-based Jetex Flight Support is to start offering services at Muscat International Airport and Salaleh International Airport. The official signing is taking place today with Jetex CEO and President Adel Mardini and Sheikh Aimen Al Hosni, CEO of Oman Airports.
12:45
A battle for orders has erupted as Europe's Airbus and its U.S. arch-rival Boeing prepared to fire opening salvos worth almost $30 billion, Reuters reported.
Airbus was widely expected to announce a fresh order worth $16 billion at list prices for the world's largest passenger jet, the A380, from Dubai's Emirates, injecting new life into its soft-selling superjumbo programme.
But sources told Reuters Boeing could try to upstage its European competitor by grabbing a surprise early order worth $12-13 billion for its 787-10 Dreamliner.
11:15
Hollywood actress Jennifer Aniston was the face of Emirates' last two major marketing campaigns, but British car journalist Jeremy Clarkson was unveiled on Sunday as the Dubai airline's latest celebrity recruit.
"You may not like him, but most people find him amusing, sometimes a little irritating, but he is very impactful," Emirates President Tim Clark was quoted as saying in a report by Reuters. Clarkson will feature in publicity material for the airline's new first-class suites.
10:45
Asked at a news conference on the launch of a new first-class cabin whether Emirates would place an A380 order at the show, Emirates president Tim Clark said, "maybe, maybe not", according to a report by Reuters.
10:00
Airbus is to buy back some A380 aircraft from Emirates as part of a new deal, sources told Reuters.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, executives from Boeing sought to dispel concerns about a slowdown in the growth of Gulf airlines. "Traffic is coming back and yields are improving and this is going to be a very positive backdrop to the Dubai Airshow," Marty Bentrott, vice president for Boeing's commercial sales in the region, said, according to a report by Reuters.
09:00
So what can we expect to be announced today? Here is the schedule of press conferences for day one:
8:00 Emirates Airline
13:00 - 13:45 Boeing Company
13:00 - 13:45 UAE Ministry of Defense
14:00 - 14:45 Boeing Company Defense Aircraft
14:00 - 14:45 Boom Supersonic
15:00 - 15:45 Boeing Company Defense Aircraft
15:00 - 15:45 Airbus
16:00 - 16:45 CEFA Aviation
08:45
Our team of reporters is already on site. One of the big rumours so far is that Dubai's Emirates may place an order for 36-38 Airbus A380 superjumbo jets, worth some $16 billion at list prices, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters on Saturday. Emirates and Airbus both declined to comment but the Dubai carrier is schedule to be one of the first to stage a press conference this morning.
