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Executive Interview 

Executive Interview with Lyn Chassagne, BlackSky

15 November 2025

Peter Hopwood

Presenter, Storytelling and Speaker Coach

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Source: Dubai Airports

Q: What does BlackSky do?

A: BlackSky is a real-time, space-based intelligence company that delivers on-demand, high frequency imagery, analytics, and high-frequency monitoring of the most critical and strategic locations, economic assets, and events in the world. BlackSky owns and operates one of the industry’s most advanced, purpose-built commercial, real-time intelligence systems that combines the power of the BlackSky Spectra® tasking and analytics software platform and our proprietary low earth orbit satellite constellation. 

With BlackSky, customers can see, understand and anticipate changes for a decisive strategic advantage at the tactical edge, and act not just fast, but first. BlackSky is trusted by some of the most demanding U.S. and international government agencies, commercial businesses, and organizations around the world.

Q: What products and services does BlackSky offer?

A: BlackSky provides end-to-end intelligence solutions tailored to customer needs. Our Assured subscription service delivers immediate access to high-cadence satellite imagery and AI-powered analytics through secure channels. For customers requiring dedicated capabilities, we offer sovereign, turn-key systems that can be owned and operated independently. Our proprietary Spectra® platform combines very high-resolution 35 cm imagery with automated detection and identification of aircraft, vessels, and vehicles—delivering insights in minutes rather than hours. We also provide vertically integrated satellite design and manufacturing for customers seeking their own space-based intelligence capabilities.

Q: How is BlackSky meeting demand for modern space-based intelligence capabilities?

Modern conflicts have proven that resolving future national security challenges will be ultimately tethered to commercial, proven and novel space-based intelligence solutions. Today's fast-moving conflict environment drives the demand for real-time, mission-relevant data and a shift from traditional static mapping to dynamic monitoring.  Since the company’s founding, BlackSky’s chief focus has been on how to deliver space-based intelligence in real time - while the mission is ongoing. 

Our combined high-cadence, low-latency Gen-2 satellites and very high-resolution Gen-3 satellites feed data into our proprietary Spectra® tasking and analytics platform and to make up the world’s most advanced end-to-end commercial space-based intelligence system. 

Q: What’s new for BlackSky?

A: The principal variables for success for military and intelligence operations are speed to, and accuracy of, insights: How quickly can decision makers receive important insights and take the critical actions that impact mission success? The emergence of high-cadence, time-diverse imagery and analytics collections are informing new applications in support of change-based situational awareness - especially in Tactical ISR operations. 

This year BlackSky began to launch and quickly commission its new Gen-3 constellation. With the continued addition of each Gen-3 satellite, customers will experience incrementally faster collection to delivery speeds and be able to track and characterize assets with hourly revisits at very high resolution. The accuracy of AI-enabled analytics will also sharpen as the growing global, time-diverse archive of Gen-3 35cm imagery powers more detailed identification and classification of military vehicles, aircraft, vessels and other objects of tactical interest.

 “DXB’s continued growth through a period of regional challenges highlights the strength of Dubai and the UAE, the agility of our operations, and the commitment of our airport community. The oneDXB mindset once again enabled us to manage disruption while elevating the guest experience and ensuring seamless global connectivity.

As we enter the second half of the year, travel activity is expected to accelerate, beginning with the late-summer peak and leading into a winter season filled with high-profile events across entertainment, sport, and business. A standout moment will be the Dubai Airshow 2025, which is set to surpass previous records and showcase the bold vision shaping the future of aviation and aerospace. Based on our performance to date and a positive outlook, we expect the annual traffic to reach 96 million this year, bringing us closer to the symbolic 100 million milestone.”

 Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports

Performance and Efficiency

Average monthly traffic in H1 stood at approximately 7.7 million, with daily volumes averaging 254,000. January was the busiest month of the period and also set a new monthly record, with 8.5 million guests.

DXB handled 222,000 total flights during the first half of the year, while the load factor reached 76%. A total of 41.8 million bags were processed, with 91% delivered within 45 minutes on arrival. The mishandled baggage rate remained low at just 2 bags per 1,000 guests, significantly outperforming the 2024 industry average of 6.3 reported by SITA. The airport is on track to process over 85 million bags by year-end, surpassing its previous record of 81.2 million set in 2024. The busiest baggage days were between January 3-5, with daily volumes reaching 300,000 bags.

Efficiency at key guest touchpoints also remained consistently high. In the first half, 99.2% of guests cleared departure passport control in under 10 minutes, 98.4% cleared arrivals in under 15 minutes, and 98.7% passed through security checks in under 5 minutes. 

“The initiative aims to integrate local suppliers into the global supply chains of Thales and other leading defence and technology companies by equipping them to meet top international standards and enabling access to long-term, high-value projects both locally and globally”

 Matar Ali Al Romaithi, Sector Cheif of Defense and Security Industry Affairs at Tawazun Council 

Top Markets and Destinations

India remained DXB’s largest country market in H1 with 5.9 million guests, followed by Saudi Arabia with 3.6 million, the United Kingdom with 3.0 million, Pakistan with 2.1 million, and the United States with 1.6 million guests. London was the busiest city destination with 1.8 million guests, followed by Riyadh with 1.5 million, Mumbai with 1.2 million, Jeddah and New Delhi with 1.1 million each, and Istanbul with 982,000 guests.

Cargo and Connectivity

DXB handled just over 1 million tonnes of cargo in the first half of 2025, reflecting a marginal increase of 0.1% compared to the previous year. The airport remains a key contributor to global trade and logistics. 
Currently, DXB is connected to more than 269 destinations in over 107 countries, served by a network of over 92 international carriers. This breadth of connectivity continues to underpin Dubai’s appeal as a hub for tourism, commerce, investment, and long-term growth.

Outlook

With the second half underway, Dubai is preparing for a surge in global travel and events, with DXB playing a central role. From the late-summer travel rush related to reopening of schools, to a packed winter calendar, activity is set to intensify. The upcoming Dubai Airshow 2025 is expected to be a landmark event, reflecting not only the scale of aviation in the region but also the vision shaping its future.

 

Space is no longer a side conversation – it is a central pillar of aerospace progress. The Dubai Airshow is evolving to reflect that, with our 2025 edition set to feature the region’s largest space presence to date. Through close collaboration with leading stakeholders, we are creating a platform where government, industry and innovators can come together to accelerate investment, partnerships and talent development in the global space sector.

— Tim Hawes, Managing Director of Informa Markets

Dubai Airshow 2025 will take place from 17 to 21 November at Dubai World Central (DWC). Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the event is supported by Dubai Airports, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Ministry of Defence, Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects and the UAE Space Agency.

As one of the world’s most influential aerospace events, Dubai Airshow continues to connect global stakeholders across aviation, space and defence, driving progress through innovation, collaboration and future-focused leadership.

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Mi tincidunt elit, id quisque ligula ac diam, amet. Vel etiam suspendisse morbi eleifend faucibus eget vestibulum felis. Dictum quis montes, sit sit. Tellus aliquam enim urna, etiam. Mauris posuere vulputate arcu amet, vitae nisi, tellus tincidunt. At feugiat sapien varius id.

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