A major event in the recent past on the global civil and military aviation scene was the Dubai Airshow, held from November 14 to 18 this year. Apart from projecting the latest developments in the domains of civil and military aviation, this international event symbolised a major turning point in the recovery of the international aerospace industry that had suffered a debilitating blow on account of the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, the Airshow this year was larger than the previous one held in 2019 prior to the onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic in terms of visitors and the number of deals clinched. This year, the Airshow at Dubai had pavilions from more than 20 nations from across the globe with over 1,200 exhibitors that included 371 companies participating for the first time. Amongst these, there were more than 80 newly established companies or start-ups in the global aerospace and defence industry. On display at the Airshow were over 160 aircraft that included commercial and military aircraft as well as business jets. An interesting feature of the Dubai Airshow was that for the first time, the Indian Air Force took part with air display by the Surya Kiran aerobatic team, Light Combat Aircraft Tejas and the Sarang helicopter team.

In any global event of this kind, success is measured by an important feature which is the number of financial deals with customers concluded at the event. In the Dubai Airshow this year, the total value of both the civil and military contracts finalised, reached an impressive figure of Dh266 billion. The global business aviation industry is now anxiously looking forward to the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) show that is scheduled to be held from December 6-8, 2022. This event serves as the leading business aviation platform in the Middle East as it showcases the latest technologies, insights and business opportunities shaping the future of business aviation in the Region as also across the globe. Over the next one year, the business aviation sector is expected to make a strong recovery which will help the MEBAA Show play an important role in restoring confidence, driving collaboration and creating new opportunities for the sector. Ayushee Chaudhary has detailed reports on the Airshow at Dubai, the deals concluded therein and the MEBAA Show scheduled to be held in the first week of December next year.

One problem that is currently plaguing the world and has the ominous potential of becoming worse i the future is the level of pollution in the atmosphere caused by emission from engines of aircraft. Fortunately, the leading engine makers General Electric Aviation and Safran have launched a bold technology development programme targeting reduction of more than 20 per cent lower fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions compared to engines that are in use or produced today. Known as the CFM Revolutionary Innovation for Sustainable Engines (RISE) programme, it will demonstrate a range of new, disruptive technologies for future aircraft engines that is expected to enter service by mid-2030s. This issue of SP’s Aviation carries a detailed review by Air Marshal Anil Chopra (Retd) of efforts by the engine manufacturers across the globe to address this problem that is looming large over the horizon.

All this and more in this issue of SP’s Aviation. We welcome you aboard and wish you many happy landings!

Jai Hind.