December 06, (THEWILL) – The recent Dubai Airshow, no doubt, was the biggest edition since it first began in 1989, with $78 billion worth of deals announced during the show.
According to the organisers, the event welcomed more than 104,000 attendees and witnessed a 50 per cent increase in the number of visitors that attended the event, including global senior executives from 148 countries.
The Airshow was bigger than the pre-COVID-19 pandemic edition held in 2019 in terms of the total number of visitors and deals announced. It was also a significant milestone for the defence and space sectors, which saw a range of deals and agreements declared.
Some of the notable deals, which took place during the event, included Airbus who announced orders and commitments totalling 408 aircraft (269 firm orders and 139 commitments).
Nigeria’s indigenous airlines were not left out in the huge records of aircraft purchase at the show.
For instance, Ibom Air, owned by the Akwa Ibom State Government, used the opportunity to place an order for 10 A220 aircraft with Airbus at the event held at the purpose built DWC event arena in Dubai.
The Group Manager Marketing and Communication of Ibom Air, Annie Essienette, hinted that working in collaboration with the Airbus team, Ibom Air took an innovative approach to making the choice of the A220.
He said the airline had started by wet-leasing two (2) A220s for a year, to test the suitability of the aircraft for their needs.
“Within six months of this process, the airline was able to validate the A220 as the right choice for its domestic and regional aspirations.
“The order of the 10 Airbus A220 is in line with the airline’s aggressive growth plan, which will see it expanding its footprint into new domestic routes, as well as regional routes covering West and Central Africa in the immediate future”, Essienette added.
Also Overland Airways made a firm order for three new Embraer E175 regional jets, plus rights for the purchase of another three at the Dubai Airshow 2021.
Speaking on the order, the Chief Executive Officer of Overland, Capt Edward Boyo, said it was based on the confidence that the right moment for investment had come.
“We are confident that this is the right moment to invest, as regional aviation is on an optimistic post-pandemic recovery,” he said.
The deal is worth $299.4 million, at list prices, if all purchase rights are exercised and the aircraft will be delivered with a premium class cabin configuration and 88-seats from 2023.
Vice-president for Europe, Middle East and Africa at Embraer Commercial Aviation, Cesar Pereira, commented on the order: “We are proud of this partnership with Overland and to support their regional expansion. We are seeing a growing long-term demand for right-sized aircraft to deliver profitable domestic connections in Nigeria.”
The E175 is Embraer’s smallest of the E-jet family and the only one not to have been reworked into the new technology E2 configuration. It has proven to be a popular aircraft during the pandemic, offering incredible efficiency and the right sort of capacity for the depressed market size.
“The aircraft will enable Overland Airways increase its domestic flights and expand more regional routes. “Our customers will really enjoy all comfort in the E175, and we appreciate our partnership with Embraer, “ Boyo added.
Timothy Hawes, managing director at Tarsus Middle East, organisers of Dubai Airshow 2021 said: “It has been a truly incredible Dubai Airshow. The event has been a real testament to the resilience, robustness and adaptability of the aviation and aerospace industries to come back with such strength after the pandemic.
“We have seen an industry transition with significant levels of innovation, technological advancement and digital transformation, right across the show with many exhibitors displaying brand new solutions. There have also been greater commitments towards sustainability and decarbonisation, which is of critical importance across the globe. The attendance levels of global senior executives from across the industries have never been higher than this year.
“We thank the UAE leadership for their continuous support, trust and guidance in helping make this the biggest ever event of its kind. $78 billion worth of deals truly shows that the industry has an exciting and prosperous future with partnerships and collaboration at its heart.
“Dubai Airshow is recognised as a world-class platform that shapes the future of the aerospace sector and we thank everyone involved for helping to make the 2021 edition a truly pivotal moment and a resounding success.”
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
