At the world's major air shows, there may be an understandable temptation to concentrate on the big names and big contracts. And while new aircraft and multi-billion-dollar orders will always make headlines, the depth of innovation – both in terms of technology and business models – is often found elsewhere on the show floor.

The announcement may not have made huge headlines, but that should not diminish its significance. When Leonardo confirmed, during last year's Farnborough Air Show, that it had sold its Miysis DIRCM (directed infrared countermeasures) system to an undisclosed Middle Eastern customer, the company was implicitly underscoring the changing nature of threats in the region.

As aviation explores electrically powered flight, battery technology has emerged as critical. Current systems are unable to deliver anywhere near the same amounts of energy as a comparably sized conventional fuel tank.

Embraer Commercial Aviation CEO John Slattery sees significant opportunity for smaller aircraft in the Middle East region as the global hubs mature.

Boeing continues to see solid demand for widebody aircraft in the Middle East in spite of Emirates’ delay in confirming a 2015 preliminary order for 40 Boeing 787s and plans to stretch 777X deliveries over a longer period.

SalamAir has agreed to lease two new Airbus A321LRs from GECAS and is eyeing them to address peak-season capacity surges and winter charter demand to Europe, among other routes, the airline’s top executive says.

Leonardo Helicopters and the UAE’s Falcon Aviation Services (FAS) have revealed their vision for a multi-modal transport air terminal that could service the Dubai Expo 2020.

Pratt & Whitney Canada is to provide the powerplant for Russian Helicopters’ new VRT500 light helicopter.