The UAE Aviation Sector: A Global Success Story Beyond the Skies

The New Passenger Terminal at Abu Dhabi Airport

 The UAE Aviation Sector.. A Global Success Story Beyond the Skies

                                              

The UAE aviation sector continues to solidify its position as a strategic pillar of the national economy and a leading global model in governance, innovation, and sustainability. This is supported by a vision spearheaded by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), integrating regulatory policies, advanced infrastructure, international partnerships, and the development of national talent.

During 2025, the sector witnessed a series of significant achievements that reinforced its role in enhancing the competitiveness of the national economy and supporting vital sectors including trade, tourism, logistics, and supply chains. It also contributes directly and indirectly up to 18% to the GDP.

In January 2025, the GCAA launched the Unified National Platform for Drones, an interactive digital platform designed to regulate and register drone operations, define the requirements for their use, and ensure compliance with laws and procedures that guarantee the safety of people and property.

In April, the authority approved the design for the world’s first hybrid helicopter landing pad, part of the “Air Taxi” project in Abu Dhabi. In July, it issued the world’s first regulatory framework for hybrid operations, enabling electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and conventional helicopters to operate interchangeably on a single infrastructure.

In the area of ​​environmental sustainability, the authority continued its leading role by submitting the third edition of the National Aviation Sector Emissions Reduction Plan to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), following its approval by the Cabinet.

The plan includes 42 projects in the areas of operations and technology, and 13 projects related to sustainable aviation fuel and low-carbon fuels, developed in partnership with leading national ministries and entities, airlines, airports, and energy companies.

The UAE has strengthened its influential presence in the global civil aviation system, having won a seat on the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for the seventh consecutive time. The organization also re-elected Hamad Salem Al Muhairi, Assistant Director General for Aviation Security Affairs at the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), as Chairman of the ICAO Committee of Experts on Civil Aviation Security for the third year.

Engineer Mariam Al Baloushi, Senior Director of the Environmental Affairs Office at the GCAA, was elected Chair of the ICAO Committee on Environmental Protection, becoming the first expert from the Middle East to hold this position.

The UAE has solidified its role as a global hub for dialogue and shaping the future of aviation by hosting, organizing, and participating in several major international events, including the ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium and the inaugural UAE Sustainable Aviation Market initiative in Abu Dhabi.

During its 235th session, the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) adopted the UAE's "Global Sustainable Aviation Market (GSAM)" initiative as an official annual event on the organization's agenda. This makes it an independent initiative of a member state, evolving from a strategic vision into an international event with organizational and administrative support from ICAO.

The UAE's airports continued to achieve record performance in passenger numbers during the first nine months of 2025. Abu Dhabi International Airport, Dubai International Airport, and Sharjah International Airport recorded approximately 108.59 million passengers by the end of September, according to the official Emirates News Agency (WAM).

The Dubai Airshow, for its part, was exceptional in terms of achievements and announced deals. Emirates announced the commencement of a comprehensive plan to install its Starlink superfast internet service on its entire fleet, starting in November 2025 on Boeing 777 aircraft, with full completion expected by mid-2027.

Emirates also announced an order for 65 additional Boeing 777 aircraft worth $38 billion, and another order for eight additional Airbus A350-900 aircraft worth $3.4 billion at current prices.

Flydubai signed a memorandum of understanding with Airbus to purchase 150 A321neo aircraft, making it a new customer for the airline. It also signed a memorandum of understanding with Boeing to purchase 75 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft worth $13 billion.

Etihad Airways announced at the exhibition a significant expansion of its wide-body fleet with the addition of 32 new Airbus aircraft, accelerating the company's growth and reinforcing its position as one of the world's fastest-growing airlines.

The agreement includes a range of A350-1000s, A350F freighters, and A330-900s through direct orders and lease agreements, with the first deliveries scheduled to begin in 2027, one of the earliest periods of wide-body aircraft availability in the global market.