MEBAA Show 2026 Set for 8–10 December in Dubai; Official Announcements Do Not Confirm French or German National Delegations
Why It MattersThe show opens against record Dubai business aviation traffic but sharply lower visitor and airport passenger volumes, so its deal flow will test how far regional airspace constraints are holding back demand.
The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) announced on 20 July 2026 that MEBAA Show 2026 will run from 8 to 10 December 2026. Emirates News Agency (WAM) confirmed the same dates on 11 August, naming the Dubai Airshow site at Dubai World Central as the venue, and said it will be the exhibition's eleventh edition. WAM says participation is expected from more than 100 countries, spanning aircraft manufacturers, operators, charter businesses, ground-service providers, maintenance organisations and technology companies. The official announcements reviewed do not confirm national delegations from France or Germany.
The show takes place against a mixed backdrop. Dubai South reported 20,289 business aviation movements in 2025, up 17% on the previous year and a record for Dubai, with the fourth quarter accounting for more than 6,926 movements, up 18% year on year. On 13 October 2026, Dubai outlined projects including AED128 billion allocated to Al Maktoum International, AED328 billion for expanding the Emirates and flydubai fleets, and AED18.7 billion for a new Emirates engineering and maintenance complex; these are not contracts awarded at MEBAA.
Visitor figures are weaker. Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism reports 6.97 million international overnight visitors for January–August 2026, against 12.54 million in the same period of 2025, a decline of about 44.4% based on those published totals. Dubai Airports reported 31.5 million passengers at Dubai International in the first half of 2026, down 31.3% year on year, citing regional airspace constraints; monthly volumes rose from 3.5 million in April to 4.5 million in May and 5 million in June.
MEBAA Show 2026 will use the Connect networking platform and a dedicated Operators Programme. WAM reports the previous edition's platform supported 1,500 business meetings and 4,193 new business connections, figures that describe introductions and meetings rather than signed contracts or disclosed revenues.
