Dubai Airshow 2025 Opens With Power-Packed Flying Display and New Tech Debuts
DUBAI AIRSHOW, November 17. The Dubai Airshow 2025 opened with a high-energy, three-hour-plus flying display on Monday, showcasing an impressive lineup of fighters, commercial jets and air-mobility innovations. The Day 1 programme, approved by Brigadier General Abdulnasir Al Hameedi, combined national displays, next-generation aircraft and historic debuts before a global audience.
The show began at 13:30 with the UAE Formation Flypast, followed by a powerful 29-minute performance from the UAE’s national aerobatic team, Fursan Al Emarat. One of the biggest highlights of the afternoon came at 14:06, when the Joby eVTOL made its Dubai Airshow debut—the first electric air taxi demonstration in the history of the event.
Dubai Airshow 2025 – Day 1 Flying Display Schedule
| Order | Aircraft Type | Start | Duration | End | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | UAE Formation | 13:30 | 00:07 | 13:37 | FlyPast |
| 2 | Fursan Al Emarat | 13:37 | 00:29 | 14:06 | W21 |
| 3 | Joby eVTOL | 14:06 | 00:09 | 14:15 | W16 |
| 4 | Rafale | 14:15 | 00:11 | 14:26 | V6 |
| 5 | B-52 | 14:26 | 00:03 | 14:29 | Air Start |
| 6 | F-35 | 14:29 | 00:15 | 14:44 | Air Start |
| 7 | Boeing 777X | 14:44 | 00:08 | 14:52 | W21 |
| 8 | F-16 UAE | 14:52 | 00:08 | 15:00 | W21 |
| 9 | Surya Kiran | 15:00 | 00:30 | 15:30 | V6 + V8 |
| 10 | COMAC C919 | 15:30 | 00:08 | 15:38 | W21 |
| 11 | F-16 US | 15:38 | 00:10 | 15:48 | V1 |
| 12 | KA-52 | 15:48 | 00:07 | 15:55 | W16 |
| 13 | Sukhoi Su-57 | 15:55 | 00:08 | 16:03 | W21 |
| 14 | Bader 250 | 16:03 | 00:08 | 16:11 | V8 |
| 15 | Mirage 2000-9 | 16:11 | 00:09 | 16:20 | V6 |
| 16 | Airbus A350 | 16:20 | 00:09 | 16:29 | W21 |
| 17 | HAL Tejas | 16:29 | 00:08 | 16:37 | V6 |
| 18 | P-8 Poseidon | 16:37 | 00:03 | 16:40 | Air Start |
| 19 | Marche Verte | 16:40 | 00:30 | 17:10 | W16 |
Military action quickly intensified with the Dassault Rafale run, a dramatic B-52 fast pass and a 15-minute aerial routine by the F-35. Commercial aviation took the spotlight soon after, with Boeing’s 777X performing at 14:44 and the UAE Air Force’s F-16 display slotting in immediately afterward.
India’s Surya Kiran team delivered one of the longest sequences of the day—30 minutes of precision aerobatics starting at 15:00—before the stage transitioned to the COMAC C919, marking China’s latest civilian airliner entry.
Later in the afternoon, spectators witnessed a string of high-performance demonstrations including the US Air Force F-16, the KA-52 helicopter, and the much-anticipated Russian Sukhoi Su-57. Regional and national aircraft such as the Bader 250, Mirage 2000-9 and India’s HAL Tejas also brought significant attention.
At 16:20, commercial aviation returned with the Airbus A350, while a brief appearance by the P-8 Poseidon added maritime capability to the showcase.
The day concluded with a 30-minute performance by Morocco’s Marche Verte, closing the programme at 17:10. In total, Day 1 delivered three hours and 40 minutes of uninterrupted aerial demonstrations—setting the tone for what is expected to be the biggest Dubai Airshow to date.
