Aviation

Airbus to showcase ‘Future of Flight’ at Dubai Airshow 2019

Boeing and Airbus will display these aircraft at Farnborough.

Dubai, 11 November 2019 – At the Dubai Airshow, which runs from 17-21 November 2019, Airbus will showcase its wide range of innovative technologies, products and services from market leading commercial and military aircraft to helicopters and space systems.

The Dubai Airshow is an important platform for Airbus to highlight its best-in-class products and innovative services to customers. Airbus’ continued participation at the largest aviation event in the Middle East demonstrates its continuous commitment to enhancing the aerospace and aviation industries in the UAE and wider region.

Static & flying displays

On the static display, visitors will be able to get up close to Airbus’ range of commercial aircraft. This includes the A350-900, the cornerstone member of the A350 XWB Family, Salam Air’s A320neo, from the world’s most popular single-aisle aircraft family, as well as EGYPTAIR’s A220-300, the newest member of the Airbus single-aisle family. Airbus will also display an ACJ319 from K5 Aviation, highlighting the comfort and space on offer, and echoing the trend towards larger cabins in new-generation business jets. An ACJ319, operated by K5 Aviation on VVIP charters, will highlight the widest and tallest cabin of any business jet. Airbus corporate jets have a strong presence in the Middle East market with both the ACJ320 Family and VVIP widebodies.

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In the customers’ display, Emirates Airline and Etihad Airways will showcase their A380s, giving the opportunity to tour the popular double-decker and see its award-winning products across all classes.

The daily flying display will include the A330-900, a variant of the Airbus A330neo, as well the A400M airlifter.

Airbus Helicopters will display Kuwait Police’s H225, tailored to the specifications of the Kuwaiti police force. The 11-tonne twin-engine helicopter is the choice of commercial operators and governmental agencies due to its long range and all-weather capabilities.

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Meanwhile, Airbus Defence and Space will present the A400M new generation airlifter and the highly versatile C295 military transport and mission aircraft as well as the A330 MRTT, “Multi-Role Tanker-Transport”, the only combat-proven new-generation tanker.

As the official founding partner of Air Race E, Airbus will present the first example of an electric race plane scheduled to compete in the world’s first electric airplane race series launching in 2020. The competition will drive the development of cleaner, faster and more technologically advanced electric engines that can be applied to urban air mobility vehicles and eventually, commercial aircraft.

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At the Global Air Traffic Management show in the exhibition hall, booth 157, Airbus UTM and Airbus companies Metron Aviation and NAVBLUE will demonstrate how Airbus is helping the Air Traffic Management industry minimise delays, reduce fuel costs and balance demand and capacity through Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM).

Aviation

Egypt has signed an agreement with China to purchase J-10C fighter jets

Egypt has become the second country, after Pakistan, to order China’s Chengdu J-10C “Vigorous Dragon” fighter jets, marking a significant shift in its military strategy.

The announcement, made during the inaugural Egypt International Air Show from September 3 to 5 at El Alamein International Airport, reveals Egypt’s intent to replace its aging fleet of U.S. F-16s.

The J-10C, a highly capable 4.5-generation multi-role fighter jet, was showcased by China for the first time on African soil during the air show. It features advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground weaponry, making it a formidable alternative to Egypt’s current fleet.

Known for its air superiority missions, the J-10C has often been compared to the American F-16, which has been the backbone of the Egyptian Air Force since the 1980s.

However, with Egypt’s F-16s now considered outdated against modern air defense systems, the decision to transition to the Chinese fighters underscores a major upgrade in Egypt’s combat capabilities.

This move not only signals Egypt’s intent to reduce its reliance on U.S. defense systems but also reflects a broader shift in its international alliances.

Despite a long-standing defense relationship with the U.S., evidenced by a recent acquisition of C-130J Hercules transport aircraft through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program, Egypt is clearly looking eastward.

The decision comes amid growing concerns over U.S. policies in the Middle East, including its stance on Israeli operations in Gaza, which may have influenced Cairo’s pivot to Chinese military technology.

China’s increasing presence in the Middle East and North Africa is bolstered by such deals, as Beijing continues to expand its influence through military cooperation and economic partnerships, particularly in energy imports.

The Egypt International Air Show provided a platform for showcasing this growing military-industrial relationship.