Dubai airshow takes off on high note

Dubai Long-haul carrier Emirates opened the Dubai Air Show with a $52 billion purchase of Boeing Co aircraft, showing how aviation has bounced back after the groundings of the coronavirus pandemic, and even as Israel’s war with Hamas clouds regional security.

That conflict, as well as Russia’s war on Ukraine, likely will influence the five-day show at Al Maktoum Airport at Dubai World Central. It is the city-state’s second airfield after Dubai International Airport, which is the world’s busiest for international travel and home base for the long-haul carrier Emirates.

Emirates made the announcement witnessed by the crown prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, at a news conference Monday afternoon. Immediately after, its sister carrier, the low-cost airline FlyDubai, said it would buy 30 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, the first wide-body aircraft in its fleet. While commercial aviation takes much of the attention, arms manufacturers also have exhibitions at the show.