Dubai Airshow gets underway

The world’s biggest aircraft manufacturers and airlines are in town.

They're here for the Dubai Airshow, which kicks off on Sunday at Al Maktoum International airport.

The five-day show is expected to see billions of dollars worth of deals being carried out with heavyweights like Airbus and Boeing battling for orders.

But with the ongoing grounding of Boeing’s 737 Max and a sluggish global economy, experts say it's unlikely that there will be a record number of deals signed this week.

However, there is expected to be an increased focus this year on defence manufacturing and future technology like artificial intelligence. 

More than 1,300 companies will have some kind of presence at the Dubai Airshow, which takes place every two years.

His Excellency Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority told ARN News that the event has evolved over the years.

.@HHShkMohd inspects preparations for #Dubai Airshow 2019https://t.co/6Rrn7evDCc pic.twitter.com/tWZ5RrW9ut

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) November 16, 2019