For the first time at the Dubai Airshow, visitors witnessed a live demonstration of an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, as Joby Aviation’s flying taxi completed a crewed flight between Margham and Al Maktoum International Airport. The 17-minute journey marks a major milestone: Joby is targeting commercial service in the UAE as early as 2026.
Dubai’s commitment is clear. The 2025 Airshow has put Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) in the spotlight — vertiport infrastructure is already underway, with developer Skyports building sites in Abu Dhabi and plans for more in Dubai. These steps reflect a broader vision: transforming not just how people fly, but how cities arrange their very traffic.
But high in the sky, another story was unfolding — a tale of shifting loyalties in commercial aviation. Airbus seized a headline-making win at the show, securing a provisional order for 150 A321neo jets from flydubai. This is especially significant because flydubai has, until now, been a long-time Boeing operator.
Airbus’s presence at the show goes beyond big orders: it is also promoting sustainability. The company demonstrated how multiple decarbonization levers — from sustainable aviation fuel to carbon removal — can work together in future aircraft.
Meanwhile, Boeing was not idle. The company highlighted its Middle East partnerships and showcased its 777-9 in flying and static displays. Yet the flydubai order suggests Airbus is making notable inroads in a region that has long leaned on Boeing.
AI-Image Disclaimer The visuals are AI-generated concept illustrations and not real photographs.
Sources Gulf News Dubai Airshow official site Khaleej Times Joby Aviation / The Verge Reuters
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