Dubai’s airports have introduced a special passport stamp for travellers arriving from November 6 to 18. The unique commemorative stamp, designed for the Dubai Airshow, will be stamped on all passengers’ passports arriving at Dubai International Airport (DXB) or Dubai World Central (DWC).
The announcement aligns with the upcoming Dubai Airshow, which is gearing up to be its most significant event yet.
Dubai Airshow 2023
As global players from across the aerospace, space and defence spectrum prepare to gather in less than 2 weeks, this year’s Dubai Airshow is set to be the biggest on record, with 1,400+ exhibitors from 95 countries and visitor numbers expected to grow from last year’s edition.
The 18th edition of the Airshow presents an opportunity to welcome many new and returning industry stakeholders to the Emirate, and reflect on the recovery and growth of the aviation and wider aerospace sectors in recent years, particularly in the Middle East where passenger numbers continue to rise.
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Middle Eastern airlines posted a 27.3 per cent increase in August traffic compared to the previous year, meanwhile globally, traffic now stands at almost 96 per cent of pre-COVID levels.
Dubai Airports welcome 41.6 million guests
Dubai Airports also announced that it served 41.6 million guests in the first half of 2023, a 49 per cent increase against the same period in 2022, fuelled by a 43 per cent surge in second-quarter passenger traffic.
As the aerospace, space and defence industries continue to play a critical role for local, regional and international economies, more than 1,400 exhibitors – including 400 first-time exhibitors and 80+ startups across sectors including commercial aviation, advanced aerial mobility, space, defence and military, business aviation, air traffic management, emerging technology and more will unveil innovations and trailblazing solutions at the industry mega event.
An expanded space pavilion, in partnership with the UAE Space Agency, will also be a key feature at this year’s edition. It will see first-time and prominent players including the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), the Technology Innovation Institute (TII), Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) and several others demonstrate how the collaboration of the space and aviation industries are shaping the future of travel.
Passenger experience
Dubai Airshow 2023 will also host a comprehensive conference agenda that will welcome more than 300 international speakers and feature more than 80 hours of insightful content to drive conversations on the most important industry topics such as sustainability, space, advanced aerial mobility, air traffic management, passenger experience, diversity, and much more. Countless networking opportunities will also support the Airshow’s position as a leading international platform for valuable business opportunities that will play a significant role in the future of the industry.
As one of the most anticipated aspects of the Dubai Airshow, the famous static and flying displays will return, with an impressive line-up of the world’s most advanced aircraft.
The flying display will maintain its status as one of the most impressive ways for manufacturers to demonstrate their aircraft abilities to the global aerospace industry, while providing a breath-taking spectacle for visitors each day, and this year’s static display will set a new benchmark, showcasing more than 180 commercial and military aircraft.
International airlines
Attendance from regional and international airlines will also reflect the strong growth and transformation being witnessed across the industry. Earlier this year, Emirates released its 2022-23 Annual Report, announcing its most profitable year ever with a profit of Dhs10.6 billion (US$ 2.9 billion) compared with Dhs3.9 billion (US$ 1.1 billion) loss in the previous year.
Etihad Airways profits
Meanwhile, Etihad Airways announced a record-breaking core operating profit of US$ 296 million in the first half of 2022, compared to a US$ 392 million loss during the same period the previous year, and the world’s first premium leisure airline, Beond, announced its launch this year, further reflecting the return of the luxury leisure market.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
