United Arab Emirates (UAE)

By Robert Wall
The UAE is completing tests on its locally built probe that will launch in 2028 with the aim to land on asteroid 269 Justitia in 2034.
Space Exploration

By Ben Goldstein, Graham Warwick
News about 5X5 Aviation, Mostavio, Surf Air and more.
Safety, Ops & Regulation

By Ben Goldstein
Skyports and Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority signed an agreement to develop a four-vertiport network in the emirate, with commercial services launching in Q3 2027.
Airports, FBOs & Suppliers

Jen Meszaros
XPeng’s flying car affiliate Aridge has secured a place in a United Arab Emirates regulatory sandbox, its first national-level testing framework outside of China.
Advanced Air Mobility

By Robert Wall
The United Arab Emirates’s Edge Group is deepening its ties with South Korea's Hanwha to meet local needs for air defense and strike.
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Ella Nethersole
Algeria bans UAE aircraft from its airspace, citing diplomatic tensions, with limited exceptions for flights to Algiers International Airport until the end of the year.
Airports & Networks

By Samuel Archer
For more information about Aviation Week Intelligence Network’s (AWIN) 2026 Military Fleet & MRO Forecast and other Aviation Week data products, please see: https://pgs.aviationweek.com/forecast
AWIN Knowledge Center

By David Casey
The European Cockpit Association is urging Germany to reject additional UAE airline traffic rights without stronger fair-competition safeguards.
Safety, Ops & Regulation

By Chloe Greenbank
Airports across Africa and Arabia are building aviation’s next operating system, fit for the digital-native traveler. But progress is far from even.
Airports & Networks

By Jens Flottau
Emirates Airline President Tim Clark says the airline’s owners are “absolutely determined” to continue as normal despite the restart of the Iran war.
Airlines & Lessors

By Robert Wall
United Arab Emirates defense conglomerate Edge Group says it has acquired 100% of Brazilian aerospace and engineering firm Akaer, expanding its foothold in the South American country.
Supply Chain

By Tony Osborne
Visitors to the FourLeaf Air Show at Jones Beach, New York, are set to witness what is believed to be the first public display in the United States by a modern Chinese-built military aircraft.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Graham Warwick
The UAE's drive to lead in AAM continues with Abu Dhabi-based Lodd Autonomous launching the certification program for its Hili hybrid-electric uncrewed cargo aircraft.
Advanced Air Mobility

By Robert Wall
MBDA’s Diamond Loitering Munition Cements UAE Ties
Aerospace_Daily_departments

By Robert Wall
MBDA and its partner Fly-R have agreed to develop the Diamond loitering attack munition in the United Arab Emirates.
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Robert Wall, Steve Trimble
The war in Iran that has drawn in the wider Gulf region has also become somewhat of a testing ground for Edge Group.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Mark Pilling
The head of the UAE’s air traffic control service has explained how his country has largely kept its airspace open since the outbreak of hostilities in the Gulf this year.
Safety, Ops & Regulation

By Graham Warwick
Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Tony Osborne
Edge acquires Italian propulsion firm CMD to expand its expertise in engines and create a European propulsion hub for aeronautical, automotive and marine sectors.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Ben Goldstein
Archer says it is pursuing a restricted type certificate for its Midnight eVTOL in the UAE that could enable operations in Abu Dhabi ahead of full FAA certification.
Advanced Air Mobility

By Ella Nethersole
The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) lifted all flight restrictions over the weekend, marking the resumption of air traffic operations across the UAE.
Safety, Ops & Regulation

By Steve Trimble
The UAE government says it has ordered 10 Embraer C-390 airlifters with options to buy another 10.
Multi-Mission Aircraft

By Robert Wall
Space42 is looking to get the go-ahead for a new generation of Earth-observation systems, while finalizing with Viasat an expansion of Equatys.
Satellites

By Robert Wall, Brian Everstine, Steve Trimble, Tony Osborne
The phones are ringing at defense companies from governments urgently seeking more weapons. Often, they are being put on hold.
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Tony Osborne
Kuwait, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates have asked to buy more than $16 billion worth of U.S. defense equipment.
Budget, Policy & Operations