Dubai Airshow is part of the Informa Markets Division of Informa PLC

Informa
Informa

Industry News

Aviation sector contributes 18.2% to UAE's GDP: IATA

The leadership of the UAE has a strategic vision for aviation, supported by smart regulation and investment in world-class infrastructure

6 May 2025

Peter Hopwood

Presenter, Storytelling and Speaker Coach

Sponsored by

This is a title

Source: Zawya

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released a study quantifying the substantial value that aviation (including aviation-related tourism) generated for the UAE in terms of jobs and economic activity in 2023.

According to the study, the economic impact in the UAE includes US$92 billion, contributing 18.2% to GDP (total impact including wider supply chain, employee spending, and tourism activities), 992,000 jobs (total impact including wider supply chain, employee spending, and tourism activities), 74,500 employed directly by airlines, with a further 132,300 employed elsewhere in aviation and 297,300 employed in aviation-related tourism and 1 million tonnes of air cargo handled in 2023.

The UAE is a critical hub for global connectivity. And the benefits of its super connector role brings trade, tourism, investment, and jobs to the UAE. The leadership of the UAE has a strategic vision for aviation, supported by smart regulation and investment in world-class infrastructure. Supporting nearly a million jobs and 18.2% of GDP, aviation makes an enormous contribution to the UAE’s prosperity—both culturally and economically. And we can be confident that this contribution will strengthen as the UAE continues to facilitate opportunities for aviation to thrive.

— Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director-General.

Building on its position as a global aviation leader, the UAE is well-placed to progress in three priority areas:

Sustainability: The UAE has been a leader in the development of Low Carbon Aviation Fuel (LCAF) and is targeting an annual production of 700 million liters of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) by 2030. IATA looks forward to the potential for even broader collaboration with the UAE, in pursuit of opportunities to advance progress towards aviation’s net zero carbon emissions by 2050 goal such as the recently launched SAF Registry (operated by CADO).

Infrastructure: As the UAE continues to invest in world class-infrastructure to meet future demand, particularly with the development of Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) and Zayed International Airport (AUH), it is critical to work with industry to remain a cost competitive hub for airlines and passengers.

Workforce: The UAE is making significant investments in aviation training to ensure a skilled workforce to support growth opportunities. Maintaining a sustainable pipeline of aviation professionals will further strengthen the UAE's status as a global aviation hub. As part of this effort, a new IATA training centre was recently opened in Abu Dhabi.

Dubai Airshow 2025 is where innovation takes flight, set against the backdrop of one of the world’s most dynamic cities. This year’s edition introduces a bold new look that reflects the evolution of the event and its role as a global catalyst for change. Packed with next-generation features and cutting-edge advancements, the rebrand highlights the strength of the event, supported by the patron and stakeholders, accelerating innovations that bring the future of aerospace to the UAE. With record floor space and the largest conference to date, Dubai Airshow 2025 will reaffirm its position as the world’s premier aerospace event.

— Tim Hawes, Managing Director of Informa Markets

New features include the Training Academy, a vibrant hub of innovation and learning, showcasing student displays and workshops led by industry experts, and hackathons where participants will corroborate to solve the most pressing industry challenges. In addition, electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (EVTOLs) will be taking flight and showcasing their capabilities.

In a Dubai Airshow first, the industry will gather to celebrate aerospace on the actual runway in an iconic, exclusive event. With breathtaking views, The Party on the Runway will provide unforgettable entertainment, and a night filled with luxury, elegance, and incredible networking opportunities.

Held over three stages, nine conference tracks will bring together 250+ industry leaders to discuss topics ranging from aerospace technology advancements to sustainable aviation solutions to innovation in space exploration. New themes include MRO, Airport and Airline Keynotes, Workforce Development and Partners Programme. Meanwhile, rooted in the UAE’s vision to support Emiratisation, NextGen Leaders is a progressive initiative that bridges the gap between exceptional young talent and industry leaders. Dedicated to refining the skills of students, graduates and emerging professionals, it paves the way for a high-calibre workforce, unlocking the potential of the region’s brightest minds.

In partnership and collaboration with the UAE Space Agency, Space remains another core component of the Dubai Airshow and in 2025 will be enhanced with new activations and enhanced content, making it a key showcase feature and knowledge-sharing platform for the space industry in the region and beyond. Features include high level networking, asset display, experience zones and delegation programs, while space startups will have access to grants, funds and varied investment opportunities, connecting them with corporate partners, investors and end users.

VISTA, a dedicated hub for over 120 global aerospace start-ups and 50 investors, will also return. As the leading start-up platform for talented and innovative entrepreneurs from across the globe, this year will see more investors, an increased number of mentorship hours and the launch of emerging sectors that are transforming the future of the industry.

As the UAE strengthens its position as a leader in the aerospace evolution, this year’s edition of the record-breaking Dubai Airshow will gather industry trailblazer and innovators, promising to surpass all expectations. 

This is a caption lorem ipsum dolor sit amet

This is a subtitle lorem ipsum

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.

Eget quis mi enim, leo lacinia pharetra, semper. Eget in volutpat mollis at volutpat lectus velit, sed auctor. Porttitor fames arcu quis fusce augue enim. Quis at habitant diam at. Suscipit tristique risus, at donec. In turpis vel et quam imperdiet. Ipsum molestie aliquet sodales id est ac volutpat. 


This is a title

This is a subtitle lorem ipsum

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.

Eget quis mi enim, leo lacinia pharetra, semper. Eget in volutpat mollis at volutpat lectus velit, sed auctor. Porttitor fames arcu quis fusce augue enim. Quis at habitant diam at. Suscipit tristique risus, at donec. In turpis vel et quam imperdiet. Ipsum molestie aliquet sodales id est ac volutpat. 

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur. Lorem vitae morbi commodo viverra. Volutpat pretium gravida sed massa arcu posuere nisl duis. Leo aliquam consectetur arcu mauris amet orci ut egestas.

— Name Surname, Title

This is a subtitle lorem ipsum

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.

Eget quis mi enim, leo lacinia pharetra, semper. Eget in volutpat mollis at volutpat lectus velit, sed auctor. Porttitor fames arcu quis fusce augue enim. Quis at habitant diam at. Suscipit tristique risus, at donec. In turpis vel et quam imperdiet. Ipsum molestie aliquet sodales id est ac volutpat. 


This is a subtitle lorem ipsum

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.

Eget quis mi enim, leo lacinia pharetra, semper. Eget in volutpat mollis at volutpat lectus velit, sed auctor. Porttitor fames arcu quis fusce augue enim. Quis at habitant diam at. Suscipit tristique risus, at donec. In turpis vel et quam imperdiet. Ipsum molestie aliquet sodales id est ac volutpat. 

Read more

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur.

Industry news

This is a title lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur

24 Oct 2024

Industry news

Make it in the Emirates

24 Oct 2024

Interviews

Flying Display

24 Oct 2024

Whitepapers

Aircraft Display

24 Oct 2024

Stay up to date

Get the most recent news on the  Dubai Air show delivered directly to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to our Terms and Conditions