Saudi Arabia is participating in the Farnborough International Airshow, through a pavilion organized by the General Authority for Military Industries, under the slogan, “Invest in Saudi Arabia.”
Leaders of the aviation and defense industry from all over the world are preparing to participate in the exhibition after a three-year interruption due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Seventy of the 100 largest global airlines are expected to join the event, which is being held on July 18-22.
The Kingdom’s pavilion includes the Ministry of Investment, the Saudi Military Industries Company (SAMI) and the World Defense Exhibition (WDS).
The world exhibition will display the most advanced aircraft in the field of commercial and military aviation, and will focus on six main themes, including: aerospace, defense, sustainability, innovation, future aviation, and workforce.
Airbus and Boeing will also showcase their latest twin-aisle passenger aircraft, the A350-900 and the 777X.
Meanwhile, sources said that Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi confirmed the order for the purchase of seven Airbus A350 cargo planes, although it was not clear whether this deal would be disclosed during the exhibition.
Airbus revealed the order in its latest monthly bulletin, without disclosing the buyer. Airbus declined to comment, while Etihad Airways did not immediately respond to a request for information.
Sources said that German Lufthansa was likely to conclude a deal to buy about 10 large Boeing freighters, including seven of the recently launched cargo version of the 777X.
No comment was issued by any of the parties before the start of the exhibition, which will continue despite warnings of emergency weather and transportation disruptions caused by expectations of temperatures rising to record levels.