As a manufacturer of ultralight aircraft in the classic Junkers design, we have already made a name for ourselves in many markets and firmly established the Junkers brand. Now we have taken off toward a new destination. For the first time, we presented our brand at two renowned aviation events in the Middle East – the Dubai Airshow (November 17–21, 2025) and the General Aviation Airshow Sand & Fun in Riyadh (November 25–29, 2025). Both trade show appearances were of great strategic importance to us. “Our goal was to find out how strong the interest in our aircraft is in this region and to open up new markets,” was the general sentiment beforehand. The response on site ultimately exceeded all expectations – a successful start for “Junkers Goes Middle East.”
Dubai Airshow 2025: A Successful Premiere
The Dubai Airshow is considered one of the largest aerospace trade shows in the world. In 2025, more than 1,500 exhibitors and around 200 aircraft were expected at the exhibition grounds at Dubai World Central Airport.
For Junkers, the appearance in Dubai was a leap into the unknown – “the first landing on new terrain,” as one of our employees put it. Accordingly, we were eager to see how the Junkers A60 – our modern interpretation of the classic corrugated metal aircraft – would be received by the international audience. With its distinctive appearance, still largely unknown in the region, and a high-quality interior design, the A60 deliberately set itself apart from many conventional light aircraft.
Interest from the international audience was enormous: numerous visitors took the opportunity to examine the aircraft up close, take a seat in the cockpit, and exchange ideas about technology, design, and history. “This tremendous level of interest from visitors showed us that our combination of the iconic Junkers look, modern technology, and attention to detail also inspires enthusiasm in the Middle East,” explains Dominique Boesch, Commercial Director at Junkers, reflecting on the Dubai Airshow.
“We were able to establish valuable new contacts and record promising inquiries.”
Junkers Inspires at Sand & Fun in Riyadh
Just a few days after the Dubai Airshow, the journey continued to Saudi Arabia: at the General Aviation Airshow Sand & Fun in Riyadh – the first event of its kind in Saudi Arabia – a completely different environment awaited Junkers. This five-day flying event at Thumamah Airfield near Riyadh was designed as a public exhibition and attracted an estimated 120,000 visitors to the desert. Organized by the Saudi Aviation Club as a new platform for general aviation in the Kingdom, Sand & Fun combined high-profile flight demonstrations with a colorful program for visitors of all ages.
Amid spectacular displays, we were able to present a true piece of aviation history with our aircraft. Many visitors were fascinated by these newly reimagined classics. At the same time, we were able to show that behind the retro look lies state-of-the-art engineering “Made in Germany” – because although our aircraft are built in the style of the 1930s, they are equipped with modern technology. This very combination of tradition and innovation struck a chord in Riyadh: the Junkers brand was able to increase its visibility and present its unique concept – reimagined historic aircraft – to an entirely new audience.
Our Conclusion
„Wir haben auf den Messen in Dubai und Riad äußerst positive Resonanz erlebt und zahlreiche vielversprechende Gespräche geführt. Diese ersten Auftritte im Nahen Osten sind ein wichtiger Meilenstein, um die Marke Junkers international weiter zu etablieren und neue Märkte zu erschließen“, resümiert Dominique Boesch abschließend.
Junkers goes Middle East – dieser Auftakt ist gelungen und dürfte der Startschuss für viele weitere Kapitel der Junkers-Erfolgsgeschichte in der Region sein.
