Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid says 'Dubai is back' during visit to airshow

Vice President and Ruler of Dubai has welcomed visitors to major aviation event

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, watches aerobatic displays at Dubai Airshow. Photo: Dubai Media Office

Sheikh Mohammed visited the Dubai Airshow on day one. Photo: Dubai Media Office

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, receives official delegations at Dubai Airshow. Photo: Dubai Media Office

Sheikh Mohammed receives ministers of defence and chiefs of staff of countries participating in Dubai Airshow. Photo: Dubai Media Office

The Russian Knights perform. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Telal International design and manufacture pilot and steward uniforms. The company is exhibiting at the airshow for the first time. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A visitor takes pictures of the Russian Knights. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Dubai Airshow begins at Dubai World Central. Photo: Dubai Media Office

Crowds at the Dubai Airshow. Chris Whiteoak / The National

An Etihad Airbus A350-1041, in special livery to celebrate the UAE's Golden Jubilee, at the Dubai Airshow, with a Boeing 777X in the background. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A Thunder B-VTOL unmanned aerial vehicle system at the Israel Aerospace Industries stand at the Dubai Airshow. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The Al Tariq series at The Edge stand at the Dubai Airshow. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The new suite at the Emirates stand at the Dubai Airshow. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Members of the Navy attend the airshow. Chris Whiteoak/ The National

The Russian Knights perform at the airshow. Chris Whiteoak/ The National

A model of the Airbus A400M at the Dubai Airshow. Chris Whiteoak/ The National

Official delegations at Dubai Airshow. Photo: Dubai Media Office

The show gets off to a flying start. Photo: Dubai Media Office

A Boeing 777-X at the airshow. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Dubai Airshow begins at Dubai World Central. Photo: Dubai Media Office

Jets impress the crowds. Photo: Dubai Media Office

Boeing's newest 777X wide-body aircraft makes its international debut at Dubai Airshow. Photo: Dubai Media Office

An aerobatic display at Dubai World Central. Photo: Dubai Media Office

The show begins. Photo: Dubai Media Office

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, has told the world that "Dubai is back".

Sheikh Mohammed spoke at the Dubai Airshow, which is expected to welcome more than 85,000 visitors this year.

"Today, I witnessed some of the activities of the Dubai Airshow. 148 countries, 1,200 companies and 85,000 visitors expected this year," Sheikh Mohammed said.

"Dubai is back again ... and the global aviation sector is returning again through Dubai and the UAE. The world gathers with us in the UAE to talk about its economy, future and culture. Welcome everybody."

More than 20 countries are being represented at the airshow for the first time, including Israel, Belgium and Brazil.

It is the first major global aerospace exhibition to be held since the aviation industry was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic and is a bellwether of the sector's recovery from the crisis.

The airshow, a biennial event where commercial and military deals worth billions of dollars are agreed to, takes place after the pandemic forced organisers to cancel the Paris Air Show in Le Bourget in 2021 and Britain’s Farnborough International Airshow in 2020.