Overview
- Emirates debuted its first Starlink‑equipped Boeing 777‑300ER (A6‑EPF) at the Dubai Airshow and set its first commercial flight with onboard Starlink for November 23, targeting 14 retrofits per month, A380 installations from February 2026, and fleet completion by mid‑2027 with free one‑click access for all passengers.
- The airline detailed hardware plans—two antennas on 777s and three on A380s—plus a phased live TV rollout, while also outlining wider modernization: a 65‑aircraft Boeing 777‑9 order (~$38 billion) with first deliveries expected in Q2 2027, cabin upgrades on 60 A380s and 51 777s, and a Safran MoU to manufacture and assemble seats in Dubai.
- Dubai Future Forum featured a live Mastercard demonstration of an AI agent completing a real e‑commerce purchase from Dubai, underscoring officials’ push to use the UAE as a governed testbed for advanced AI applications and to scale skills programs and innovation awards.
- During a state visit, the UAE and Korea exchanged multiple cooperation frameworks spanning artificial intelligence, space, biohealth, intellectual property, and a partnership linking nuclear energy and AI, building on their comprehensive economic partnership.
- The White House and Saudi officials announced a strategic defense agreement and the U.S. designation of Saudi Arabia as a major non‑NATO ally, alongside MoUs on AI, civilian nuclear cooperation, and critical minerals, with future defense sales discussions noted.