Gallery: First Look At Dubai Airshow 2025 Flying Display

Framed with a United Arab Emirates Air Force Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport, the UAE’s Joint Aviation Command put up an impressive formation of helicopters including Airbus AS565 Panthers, Northstar-developed Bell 407MRHs, Boeing AH-64 Apache and CH-47 Chinooks, and Sikorsky Black Hawks as part of the military section of the Dubai Airshow opening flypast.

The UAE’s biggest commercial carriers, Emirates, Etihad and FlyDubai, were also represented in the flypast led by this Airbus A380. It was joined by another A380 from Etihad, a Boeing 737 MAX from FlyDubai and an Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 777-300ER from Emirates.

It is not yet clear when the Fursan Al-Emarat team began their transition to the new aircraft but their presence will be definitely felt in the skies over Dubai with their smoke trails accompanied by a distinctive howl throughout the display.

One of the highlights of this year’s Dubai will be the Fursan Al-Emarat aerobatic display team now flying the Chinese-developed CATIC/Hongdu L-15 twin-engine advanced jet trainer, replacing the Aermacchi MB-339 platform.

The UAE Air Force announced their intention to purchase the L-15 in February 2022 before confirming the purchase at the 2023 edition of the Dubai Airshow. Twelve aircraft have been purchased as the new mount for the team. The new aircraft also wear a new black and gold colour scheme and UAE flags underneath the wings.

UAE Air Force Lockheed Martin F-16s escort a Boeing C-17 Globemaster in an “American-made” section of the opening flypast. This was joined by a Airbus A330 MRTT, Dassault Mirage 2000s, and a Saab GlobalEye airborne early warning platform.