The Dubai Airshow 2021, set to take place from 14-18 November 2021, serves as a key indicator of Dubai’s success in overcoming the challenges that the pandemic has posed, and moving in the right direction towards achieving a full recovery of the aviation industry.

Commenting on the progress that Dubai’s aviation sector has made following the pandemic, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group said: “We have crossed many significant milestones this year despite the difficult period. Dubai has been a symbol of resilience and agility in responding to the challenges that the pandemic brought, and we are confident that the collaborative work done by the sector’s key players to restore consumer confidence and boost travel operations will pave the way for a thriving aviation industry. Dubai Airshow 2021 will serve as the ultimate testament to the industry’s steady recovery and growth and firmly establish Dubai as the leading global aerospace hub.”

Major Gen. Staff Pilot Ishaq Saleh Al Baloushi, Military Advisor to State Minister of Defence and Executive Director for Military Committee for Dubai Airshow: “For many years we have been collaborating and working closely with different defence delegations from across the world for the Dubai Airshow. This engagement has continued virtually throughout the pandemic, and we are now planning on having in-person meetings and sessions at the Airshow itself. With the positive sentiment within the industry and the appetite for business continuity, we believe the Airshow will provide the ideal event for strategic development and the creation of new partnerships.

Taking centre stage will be the different technologies that enhance safety and accelerate efficiency. They will play a key role in the aviation, aerospace and defence industries getting back to business following the pandemic. A great experience awaits the industry as they once again gear up to network, discuss the future of the industry and do business at the Dubai Airshow. There will be a high number of attendees from the defence industry at the Airshow and we are very much looking forward to meeting them during the event.”

The UAE recently started opening quarantine-free travel corridors with multiple countries across the world, which counts as a major step for bringing a higher influx of travellers and tourists. In addition, Dubai Airports recently re-opened Dubai International’s (DXB)Terminal 1, following a 15-month closure, as part of its plan to ensure the airport’s full operational readiness. DXB is targeting 28 million passengers in 2021.

To be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Defence, Dubai Airshow 2021 will take place at Dubai World Central (DWC), Dubai Airshow Site from the 14-18 November 2021. 

Dubai Airshow 2021 will be held with the support of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Dubai Airports, the UAE Ministry of Defence and Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects, and organised by Tarsus Middle East. The highly anticipated event will provide a platform where international aerospace and defence entities can gather and convene to drive the recovery of the global aviation and aerospace industry. 

For more information, please visit the website https://www.dubaiairshow.aero/

The General Civil Aviation Authority in the United Arab Emirates signed a bilateral Air Services Agreement, on August 17, 2021 at the GCAA Headquarters in Dubai, with the aim of strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.

The Agreement was signed by His Excellency, Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the General Civil Aviation Authority and His. Excellency Lody Embrechts, Ambassador of The Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Arab Emirates.

His Excellency Saif Mohamed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the General Civil Aviation Authority, who signed the Final Signature of the Air Services Agreement confirmed that the General Civil Aviation Authority aims to conclude open skies agreements to expand commercial and tourism links and support the national carriers of the UAE along with strengthening the economic partnership, commercial companies and tourists through enhancing air transport connectivity and encouraging fair competition.

First enhanced Grob G109B ‘Able’ on show

Aerobility, the UK’s leading aviation charity offering disabled people, without exception, the opportunity to fly, is celebrating the arrival of its new aircraft type, the Grob G109B Able. Its first public appearance, at the Private Flyer GA show, this Friday 6^th August at Leeds East Airport provides a relevant showcase for prospective buyers to view this newly available aircraft type. Aerobility will be both operating the aircraft within its fleet, as well as marketing and selling this enhanced model commercially, in collaboration Grob Aircraft SE and Southern Sailplanes in the UK.

With a complete airframe overhaul, state-of-the-art Garmin avionics, new Rotax engine and MT Propeller, the ‘Able’s’ performance and handling is hugely enhanced, whilst the fuel consumption is significantly reduced. “This updated and re-certified variant of the tried, tested and much loved Grob G109B and its military derivative The Vigilant makes for an exciting and environmentally friendly way to take to the skies,” says Aerobility CEO, Mike Miller-Smith.

Guy Westgate, veteran motor-glider pilot, who gave his time to fly the ‘Able’ from Germany to Leeds describes it as “A fantastic upgrade to a popular, soundly built aircraft.”

Supporting the aircraft’s debut at the show, Mike adds: “Aerobility exists to change lives through the magic of flight. We are very proud to present this new aircraft type which will deliver magic to its owners whilst the proceeds will support disabled aviation. We only have a fixed amount of these aircraft to sell and we hope interest will be high.”

The aircraft flew from Aerobility’s HQ in Blackbushe, Surrey on 4^th August before positioning on the static display, following its arrival from Grob Aircraft SE in Tussenhausen-Mattsies, Germany on 3^rd August.

Boeing [NYSE: BA] today released its first Sustainability Report. In the report, the company shares its vision for the future of sustainable aerospace, establishes broad sustainability goals and highlights environment, social and governance (ESG) progress in alignment with global sustainability standards.

“In September 2020, amidst a global pandemic, Boeing formed a Sustainability organization dedicated to advancing our ESG efforts across the enterprise. As we continue on this journey, we are pleased to publish our first comprehensive report, focused on stakeholder responsiveness and data transparency,” said Boeing Chief Sustainability Officer Chris Raymond. “We know there’s still work to do and are committed to communicating our progress and holding ourselves accountable to ensure the aerospace industry is safe and sustainable for generations to come.”

Boeing’s sustainability efforts are organized around four key pillars: people, products and services, operations and communities. In 2020, highlights across these four pillars included:

• Establishing six broad new sustainability goals in alignment with our key sustainability priorities and stakeholder interests.
• Defining the company’s vision for the future of sustainable aerospace through fleet renewal, network operational efficiency, renewable energy and advanced technology.
• Committing to deliver commercial airplanes capable of flying on 100% sustainable fuels by 2030.
• Partnering with Etihad Airways on the 2020 ecoDemonstrator program, which tested sustainable technologies on one of the airline’s new 787-10 Dreamliners.
• Implementing digital engineering tools on the T-7A Red Hawk program, achieving a 75% increase in first-time engineering quality and an 80% reduction in assembly hours.
• Advancing flight tests for Cora, an all-electric, self-flying air taxi developed by Boeing and Kitty Hawk joint venture Wisk.
• Responding to COVID-19 by executing airlift missions to transport supplies, providing community vaccination sites and minimizing air travel health risks through the Confident Travel Initiative.
• Establishing a 20-member Racial Equity Task Force to represent diverse viewpoints and amplify all voices at Boeing.
• Setting 2030 environmental performance goals to reduce emissions, waste, water use and energy consumption.
• Achieving net-zero carbon emissions at work sites, while reducing energy consumption by 12%, water use by 23%, solid waste by 44% and hazardous waste by 34%.
• Attaining the ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award for Sustained Excellence every year since 2010.
• Contributing $234 million in community giving, working with 13,400 community partners and volunteering 250,000 hours.

More information on these and other sustainability accomplishments can be found in the full report.

As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing’s diverse team is committed to innovating for the future and living the company’s core values of safety, quality and integrity. Learn more at www.boeing.com. 

Aafaq Islamic Finance, the leading institution in the financial sector that provides financial products and services compliant with Islamic Sharia law, has signed a cooperation agreement with Al Jazira Aviation Club in of Ras Al Khaimah to provide the best unparalleled financing solutions for club members wishing to purchase light aircraft of various types.

The cooperation agreement was signed by Captain Adel Yousef Al Zaabi, responsible manager of Al Jazira Aviation Club and Mr. Rashid Mahboob Al Qubaisi, CEO of Aafaq Islamic Finance, who praised this step that encourages hundreds of young people, citizens and residents to practice the hobby of flying light aircraft over UAE landscapes.

The agreement effectively builds and strengthens relations between the two parties and provides club members activities that promote sports in the country and provide social and development services to the public who deal with the club while Aafaq provides financing programs and facilities to club members wishing to finance the purchase of their own light aircraft.

Rashid Mahboob Al Qubaisi, CEO of Aafaq Islamic Finance said: “We are honored to be in Ras Al Khaimah to extend our appreciation and gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council of the Union, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, for all the generous care that he entrusts and Crown Prince, Sheikh Muhammad bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, for looking after the welfare of all.

He added, “After signing a memorandum of understanding recently with the “Saud Bin Saqr Foundation for Youth Enterprise Development”, we at Aafaq Islamic Finance are pleased to announce our cooperation with the Al-Jazira Aviation Club, to support the youth and their ambition to purchase a light aircraft at competitive financing rates. Following the approach of our wise leadership, we encourage our young people to engage in hobbies.”

Captain Adel Youssef Al Zaabi said: “We extend our sincere thanks to His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, for his continuous interest in everything that enhances the emirate’s position as a vibrant tourist destination and we also thank the Club’s President, Sheikh Omar bin Saqr Al Qasimi for achievements under his guidance. We look forward to offering Aafaq Islamic Finance financing services to club members that include banking and related services and conclude this cooperation agreement with ‘Islamic Horizons’.

Al Jazira Aviation Club, located in Ras Al Khaimah is accredited by the General Civil Aviation Authority in the UAE and currently has 470 members. It plays a key role in promoting and encouraging young people to join the field of light aviation, and provides everyone with the opportunity to witness the stunning landscapes in the emirate, distributed among beautiful high mountain ranges, beaches, creeks, desert sandy hills and natural life.

Innovative flight compensation company, Colibra, is now live for users in the United Arab Emirates to use. For the first time the ‘Fly Now, Pay if Okay’ service allows passengers with a valid UAE residency to book flights that they only pay for if their flight arrives on time. They now have the privilege to be the first in the world to use the pilot version of the product and test this disruptive travel technology.

The Colibra app guarantees UAE residents that if the flight is cancelled or delayed for more than three hours, passengers do not have to pay for their plane tickets at all. This service is entirely free for users of the app, allowing them to book tickets within 30 days before departure (and arrival) and then pay the regular ticket fare if their flight arrives on time or within three hours of its scheduled departure. 

The Colibra app is now available to download on the Apple Store for IOS users, as well as on the Google Play Store for Android users.

How the app works:

1. The passenger chooses a flight – it must depart and arrive within 30 days from the booking date

2. Adds his/her personal data – Colibra doesn’t charge at the time of booking

3. Colibra charges the passenger upon arrival if everything goes smoothly and the service is delivered (ticket’s price is at no extra cost). In all other cases, the user travels for FREE.

Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), in conjunction with the U.S. Navy, completed its first flight test integrating Sniper® Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP) with the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet for the Kuwait Air Force. Sniper ATP will be located on the Weapon Station 5, an area on the aircraft where pods or weapons attach, and is expected to be fielded with the aircraft in late 2023. This integration gives existing and future Super Hornet fleets the ability to add Sniper ATP’s precision targeting and surveillance capabilities, which are critical to pilot survivability.

“Integrating Sniper ATP onto Weapon Station 5, commonly known as the ‘cheek station,’ brings state-of-the-art tracking algorithms, two-way-data-link, and many other capabilities to the Kuwait F/A-18E/F crews that will positively impact the overall success of their missions,” said Kenen Nelson, director of Fixed Wing Sensor Programs at Lockheed Martin’s Missiles and Fire Control. “This also means that all F/A-18E/F customers will have the option of a reliable, easily maintainable and modern targeting pod.”

To verify the mechanics of the system, flight testing with a non-operational Sniper ATP was conducted at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland in March. Subsequently, flight-testing with an operational Sniper ATP was conducted at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake in California in March. Both first flight tests were successful.

“The Sniper ATP provides an additional tool in the already robust Kuwait F/A-18 Super Hornet package,” said Jessica Idleman, Boeing program manager Kuwait F/A-18 program. “The Super Hornet provides the warfighter with enhanced situational awareness and Sniper ATP is an important part of our technology insertion plan and future growth of the platform.”

Currently, Sniper ATP flies on both the Kuwait F/A-18C/D and Canadian CF-18 Hornets. As the Kuwait Air Force transitions to the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, they will benefit by receiving the new capabilities that the latest Sniper ATP configuration provides to the Super Hornet fleet. There are currently more than 27 countries and 15 different types of aircraft operating with the platform-agnostic Sniper ATP.

The modular design, field-proven reliability (Sniper ATP exceeds 500 hours Mean Time Between Maintenance Events [MTBME]) and a world-class depot partnership with Robins Air Force Base makes Sniper the lowest Life Cycle Costs targeting pod on the market. 

For additional information, visit our website: http://www.lockheedmartin.com.

dnata, a leading global air services provider, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Blue Aqua Food Tech (Blue Aqua) to boost food security in Singapore. The partnership will see Blue Aqua upcycle organic waste from dnata’s catering and ground handling operations into alternative insect protein for aquafeeds.

Blue Aqua’s innovative bioconversion solution processes underutilized nutrients from the leftovers that can be transformed into quality insect proteins for aquacultural use. The bioconversion is a virtuous circle that makes the insect protein a sustainable and efficient alternative to traditional fishmeal.

Compared to traditional protein, insect protein is a sustainable solution with low land, water, and carbon footprint, offering a very high yield. The partnership will supply Singapore’s farmers with sustainable access to domestically produced animal feed, which is traditionally imported.

The MoU is the starting point to a deeper partnership between Blue Aqua and dnata, which will look into the development and implementation of a ‘Zero Waste’ master plan. The air services provider will also add Blue Aqua to its list of suppliers to purchase locally farmed seafood for its catering operations.

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Dirk Goovaerts, dnata’s Regional CEO for Asia Pacific, said: “We are delighted to partner with Blue Aqua to further decrease food waste and support the local food production supply chain. This initiative will help us minimise our environmental footprint whilst delivering the highest value for our customers and the communities around us.”

Dr Farshad Shishehchian, CEO & Founder of Blue Aqua International Group, said: “Blue Aqua has been a strong advocate for sustainable and practical farming since its inception, this partnership with dnata is a perfect fit. We are excited to grow our efforts in food technology to develop a circular economy in aquaculture globally through our network, starting with Singapore.”

The global population is expected to reach 9.9 billion by 2050, and food production has to increase by 70% to fulfil this demand. This is further implicated by food security concerns worldwide and the rapid degradation of valuable farmland. Waste management is a global issue that governments and companies are racing to solve. Singapore imports more than 90% of its food, yet, its food waste amounts to 744,000 tonnes annually. Today, less than 20% of Singapore’s food waste is recycled.

Blue Aqua’s Waste-to-Protein Program aspires to significantly reduce food waste across Singapore’s food supply chain through aquaculture. This is in line with Singapore’s vision of being a ‘Zero Waste Nation’, which means the recycling rate has to be increased to 70%. Singapore has also set a “30 by 30” goal, aiming to have the nation produce 30% of its food domestically by 2030. With this mandate, aquaculture will play an important role in the future of Singapore’s food security. However, local farms still rely heavily on imported feed and raw materials, which the program is aiming to mitigate.

VistaJet today announces additions to its state-of-the-art infrastructure with the delivery of the first two of its Global 7500 aircraft, ready for commercial availability, and the order of 10 new Challenger 350 planes, from long-standing partner Bombardier.

VistaJet is the first company to provide a fleet of Global 7500 aircraft, unlocking the world with the largest and longest-range business jet. The 7500 is a gamechanger, and with VistaJet’s unparalleled network and technological capabilities, it will join the best ecosystem to operate at its peak — opening an extended world of non-stop air mobility for Members, in the very best comfort and space. Up to 12 Global 7500 aircraft are planned to join the VistaJet fleet over the next two years.

The Challenger 350 order, the majority of which are expected to be delivered through 2022, is on the back of growing and urgent demand from corporates and executives who are interested in the super-mid segment — VistaJet has seen a surge of nearly 50% in corporate interest globally since July 2020. The award-winning Challenger 350 aircraft is an integral offering in VistaJet’s super-midsize range, which is driving the higher demand with new and existing customers. It is consistently one of the best-selling businesses jets among charter operators and corporate flight departments across the globe and offers several unique benefits.

The Challenger 350 and Global 7500 new additions will bring VistaJet’s global fleet to over 90 aircraft providing access to 187 countries, with regional flying in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, including domestic flights within India.

The pandemic is clearly demonstrating that customers are increasingly requiring guaranteed global access 24/7. VistaJet’s leading flexibility and adaptability across its business model and service offerings are playing a critical part in its success and resilience, and this latest order of Challenger 350s clearly reiterates its confidence in the future of the industry.

Additionally, in 2021 VistaJet will complete the upgrade of its entire Challenger 850 fleet, including the installation of the fastest in-flight connectivity available with KU-band technology, and enhancing the largest, most productive and comfortable corporate cabin available in its class.

Further, all VistaJet Challenger 605 planes will be fully equipped with KU-band connectivity and upgraded interior on board by the end of 2021 and the Challenger 350 aircraft following suit by end of 2022; 95% of its Global 6000 aircraft will be upgraded with KU-band technology and the elevated interior during 2021 to further enhance customer experience onboard.

Today’s launch is off the back of continued incredible demand for VistaJet’s asset-free solutions, including the new Corporate Membership launched in October 2020. The first quarter of 2021 marked a consecutive quarter in growth in hours sold, up 23% year-over-year, and new Program Members up 90%.

Thomas Flohr, Founder and Chairman, VistaJet said: “It is an incredibly exciting time as VistaJet transforms the architecture of how companies and individuals fly. We continue to see rapid acceleration in new Members, which is driven by corporate and executive demand for our business mobility offerings. Global private aviation networks will be even more vital to support businesses and the economy. The expansion of our worldwide fleet will guarantee our customers full confidence in a consistent flying experience anywhere in the world — offering the best value in the industry through our unique asset-light flight solutions. We remain committed to providing critical support to businesses in this new world — we kept our business steady during 2020 and we are seeing much increased demand for VistaJet’s asset-free solutions in 2021 and beyond.”

Éric Martel, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bombardier said: “We are extremely proud of our long-standing partnership with VistaJet and are thrilled that they have again chosen Bombardier aircraft to support their fleet expansion plans. With unmatched performance and comfort, the Global 7500 and Challenger 350 are the perfect aircraft to support VistaJet’s rapid growth as more people turn to business aviation and the enhanced safety and reliability it provides.”