Day 4 of Dubai Airshow 2025 delivered a dynamic aerial programme showcasing the latest in fighter jets, widebody aircraft, and advanced air mobility. From the high-speed manoeuvres of the F-35 and Sukhoi 57 to the eVTOL debut of JOBY, the flying display reflected the growing convergence of defence technology, sustainable aviation, and next-generation aircraft design.
Kicking off at 13:30 local time, Latvia’s Baltic Bees aerobatic team set the tone with high-energy formation manoeuvres, streaking coloured smoke across the Dubai skyline. The baton was then passed to the Lockheed Martin F-35, which executed a tight 15-minute air-start performance, drawing attention to its short-climb capabilities and low-speed control.
A balance of combat power and aerial grace defined the afternoon. Morocco’s Marche Verte team followed with a half-hour display, while the UAE’s Mirage 2000-9 returned to the skies shortly after. At 14:52, Airbus made its presence felt with a nine-minute demonstration of the A350 widebody- marking the only large commercial aircraft in Thursday’s flying display schedule.
Scroll down for the full round-up of Day 4 highlights and the latest news from the Dubai Airshow 2025.
READ: Dubai Airshow 2025: Historic eVTOL flight and $52bn Boeing Deal
Dubai Airshow 2025 – Top deals and news from Day 3
Emirates Engineering becomes first UAE organisation to receive major design modification approval from GCAA
Emirates Engineering has achieved a significant milestone, becoming the first organisation in the UAE to receive Design Organisation Approval (DOA) from the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) for major aircraft modifications, through Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs).
The GCAA’s direct certification of Emirates Engineering’s design work enables the regulator to independently review and process major modifications, marking a milestone for UAE aviation regulation.
Adel Al Redha, Emirates Deputy President and Chief Operating Officer said: “This approval fundamentally changes our approach to aircraft modification. In-house design and certification capability gives us direct control over our product development and helps us to define our specifications and our timeline.
“The timing also aligns with our expansion at DWC, where this certification expertise will be integral to our engineering operations. We thank the GCAA for their partnership in developing the regulatory framework that made this milestone possible.”
Eng. Aqeel Al Zarooni, Assistant Director General for Aviation Safety Affairs at the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority, said: “This accreditation represents an important advancement in the development of the aircraft design and engineering approval ecosystem in the UAE. It reflects the readiness of the regulatory framework the GCAA is building to empower all maintenance and engineering service providers to enhance their capabilities.
READ: Dubai Airshow 2025 Day 2: Highlights and key announcements
Sanad, Strata and Sindan Partner to Advance AI and 3D Printing in the Aerospace Sector in the UAE
Sanad, the global aerospace engineering and leasing solutions leader and Strata Manufacturing PJSC (Strata), the advanced aerospace structures manufacturing company, both wholly owned by Abu Dhabi’s sovereign investor Mubadala Investment Company PJSC (Mubadala), , have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sindan, a UAE-based technology company specializing in AI-powered additive manufacturing and industrial automation, to explore the adoption of artificial intelligence, robotics, and 3D printing in aerospace Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) operations and manufacturing.
The agreement was formalized during Dubai Airshow 2025, where the MoU was signed by Mansoor Janahi, Managing Director and Group CEO of Sanad, Sara Abdulla AlMemari, Acting CEO of Strata, and Heyuan Huang, Managing Director and CEO of Sindan, in the presence of Ismail Ali Abdullah, Executive Director of UAE Clusters from Mubadala Investment Company and Amer Siddiqui, Group Chairman of Sanad.
The partnership will advance the integration of AI-enabled automation and advanced manufacturing solutions within Sanad and Strata operations. Sindan will support the deployment of smart robotics for inspection and material handling, humanoid systems for warehouse organisation, and automated racking technologies for optimised inventory management. In parallel, Sindan will design and 3D-print specialised jigs and fixtures to accelerate tooling production and enhance precision across Sanad’s MRO facilities and Strata’s manufacturing.
Bringing together Sanad and Strata four decades of global MRO expertise with Sindan’s advanced manufacturing capabilities, the collaboration represents a step forward in creating smarter, faster, and more sustainable aerospace maintenance solutions. It reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as a global hub for aviation innovation and excellence, demonstrating how homegrown partnerships are redefining the future of aerospace engineering.
Emirates to bring Airbus A380 engine MRO in house under new Rolls-Royce deal
Under a Memorandum of Understanding signed between Emirates and Rolls-Royce today at the Dubai Airshow 2025, Emirates will perform Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) for the Trent 900 engines powering its own A380 fleet from 2027. Emirates has also extended the TotalCare service agreement with Rolls-Royce for its A380s into the 2040s.
Emirates will build a new facility with the first induction forecast from 2027. Emirates will complete fan case repairs at the facility, and Rolls-Royce will maintain module repair capability within the global network.
Ahmed Safa, Emirates’ Head of Engineering and MRO, said: “With Emirates’ plans to continue operating our Airbus A380 fleet into the 2040s, we wanted to secure our own engine maintenance capabilities. We are pleased to sign this agreement with Rolls-Royce which takes our partnership further. We will be working closely with their team to bring the latest engine MRO capabilities into our facilities as part of our expansion of Emirates’ Engineering Maintenance Centre (EEMC). This is yet another value-added contribution to Dubai’s growing aerospace sector capabilities.”
Paul Keenan, Director – Commercial Aviation Aftermarket Operations, Rolls-Royce, said: “Today’s announcement marks another milestone in our journey to significantly increase our global MRO capacity and capability by 2030. Our global network combines a strong mix of Rolls-Royce owned facilities, joint ventures and strategic collaborations with industry partners. We are delighted to welcome Emirates to that mix ahead of the new facility opening in 2027.
“The agreement will allow for additional capacity in the entire Rolls-Royce network and further reinforces our commitment to deliver both excellent products and services to our global customer base.”
Emarat showcases Emojet’s aviation fuel leadership
Emirates Petroleum Company PJSC (Emarat), a pioneer in the UAE’s oil and gas industry, is highlighting the strength of its aviation fuel business at Dubai Airshow 2025 through its aviation subsidiary, Emojet, one of the leading into-plane fuel service providers at Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport (Dubai World Central). Emojet will host airline, airport and industry partners at Chalet A52 from 17–21 November 2025, between 10:00 AM and 5:30 PM at Al Maktoum International Airport.
A key pillar of Emarat’s portfolio, aviation fuel is delivered through Emojet, which has served the UAE’s world-leading aviation industry since 1992. Today, Emojet supplies aviation fuel to many of the world’s leading international airlines at Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport, delivering award-winning into-plane services built on safety, reliability and service excellence.
flydubai and Dubai Airports sign agreement at the Dubai Airshow to strengthen financial efficiency
flydubai and Dubai Airports have entered a new chapter in their collaboration with the signing of a Service Level Agreement (SLA) at the Dubai Airshow 2025, strengthening operational and financial efficiency across the aviation ecosystem.
The new integration means Dubai Airports has successfully linked flydubai’s systems with its operational database (ODMP) and billing platform (VEOVO) resulting in a fully automated, auditable billing process that replaces manual, workflow with a more efficient, consistent, and standardised approach.
What once took thousands of PDF pages and lengthy OCR checks is now handled instantly through the standard iXML format. Dubai Airports can now send invoices directly to flydubai in digital form, allowing the airline to import and verify them immediately, a task that previously took weeks. The new system greatly improves audit and compliance across all passenger charges. Historically, passenger billing for major carriers like flydubai was complicated by large data volumes and difficult verification, but this integration has effectively solved those challenges.
From the editor: This article will be updated throughout the day as more news and developments from Day 4 of Dubai Airshow 2025 emerge.
