Dubai Airshow Special: Can the Middle East’s aviation boom and sustainability ambitions coexist?

Nov 23, 2025

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In this special compilation episode, recorded live at the Dubai Airshow 2025, five aviation industry leaders share their perspectives on whether the Middle East can balance rapid aviation growth with sustainability goals.

Featuring insights from:

Paul Griffiths, CEO, Dubai Airports
Julien Manhès, Head of SAF and CDR, Airbus
Yousif Bin Saeed Al Lootah, CEO, Lootah Biofuels
Darren Hulst, Vice President of Commercial Marketing, Boeing
Michel Azar-Hmouda, President of Commercial Aviation, CAE

Together, they answer one central question: where does the Middle East have the greatest opportunity to lead in sustainable aviation, and what could stand in the way?

Throughout the episode, the aviation leaders explore the region’s unique advantages, including large scale infrastructure, abundant renewable energy, strategic geography, and strong political commitment, positioning it as a proving ground for next generation sustainable aviation technologies. They also address the challenges that can potentially threaten progress, from workforce development and supply chain alignment to the difficulty of turning ambition into reality.

This is a compilation of highlights from five in-depth conversations. Stay tuned for the full interviews on our Sustainability In The Air platform.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love all the conversations we had through the year with dozens of industry executives, technology leaders and scientists. Check out the archive here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air: Volume 2’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Sponsor message: This episode was recorded live in partnership with the Dubai Airshow 2025 and CAE.

For nearly 80 years, CAE has delivered cutting-edge training and simulation solutions across 240 sites in over 40 countries, preparing aviation professionals for critical moments while putting sustainability at the center of what they do.