Travelers’ Insight: How Open Fan Technology Could Make Flying Greener — Dubai Airshow 2025 Preview

Published on November 22, 2025

The 2025 Dubai Airshow is offering travelers a first glimpse of the future of flight. For the first time in the Middle East, CFM International’s RISE program open‑fan engine model is on display. This innovative engine design promises more fuel efficiency and quieter flights, marking a new chapter in sustainable aviation. Tourists and aviation enthusiasts alike can witness how modern engineering might shape their flying experiences in the coming decade.

What Makes the Open-Fan Engine Special?

The RISE program, a collaboration between two aviation giants, is centered on creating engines that are environmentally friendly, efficient, and highly reliable. The open-fan architecture is its most striking feature. Unlike conventional engines enclosed in a cowling, this design allows for a larger fan that reduces drag, improves thrust, and enhances fuel efficiency by over 20%.

For travelers, this could mean lower fuel consumption, quieter flights, and potentially reduced ticket costs over time. More importantly, it signals a step forward toward sustainable aviation, an aspect increasingly important for eco-conscious tourists.

Middle East Conditions Put Technology to the Test

The Middle East presents unique challenges for aircraft due to sandy, dusty conditions. The RISE engine model has been tested under harsh environments to ensure performance and safety. These rigorous tests include simulated flights in desert-like conditions, mimicking the sand and particulate exposure aircraft experience during takeoff and landing.

By debuting this technology in Dubai, CFM International emphasizes its engines’ resilience to regional climates. Travelers flying over deserts, from Dubai to Riyadh or Abu Dhabi, could soon benefit from aircraft engineered to handle extreme conditions without compromising safety or efficiency.

Reliability Through Extensive Testing

The RISE program has undergone hundreds of ground and endurance tests, ensuring durability for the next generation of aircraft. Engineers have focused on long-term reliability, fan blade strength, and aerodynamic efficiency. For travelers, this translates to safer, smoother flights with engines designed to withstand both high speeds and challenging weather.

The scale model at the Dubai Airshow demonstrates not just engineering prowess but also a commitment to passenger experience. The goal is to combine sustainability with comfort, providing a quieter and more enjoyable journey for global travelers.

A Greener Path for Air Travel

Sustainability is at the heart of the RISE program. The open-fan engine is optimized to operate efficiently with sustainable aviation fuels, and future designs may even accommodate hydrogen. This could cut aviation carbon emissions by over 20%, making air travel significantly greener.

For tourists, this is a meaningful development. Imagine enjoying your next long-haul flight knowing the engine powering your plane is designed to minimize environmental impact, reduce noise, and burn fuel more efficiently.

Why Travelers Should Be Excited

This innovation isn’t just technical—it directly benefits the traveler experience:

• Quieter Flights: Despite its larger, exposed fan design, noise levels are engineered to meet future regulations, making flights more peaceful.
• Enhanced Comfort: A more efficient engine produces smoother acceleration and deceleration, improving in-flight comfort.
• Reliable Travel: Tested for challenging conditions, these engines promise fewer delays and mechanical issues, especially in arid regions.
• Future-Friendly Journeys: Travelers will likely enjoy reduced environmental footprints without compromising convenience or safety.

Dubai Airshow: A Gateway to Aviation’s Future

Dubai has long been a hub for aviation innovation, connecting travelers worldwide. By showcasing the RISE open-fan engine, the city once again cements its status as a global aviation leader. Visitors to the Airshow have a rare opportunity to witness first-hand how aircraft technology is evolving to meet the demands of both sustainability and performance.

Tourists exploring Dubai can also tie this experience into their travel plans. The Airshow offers insights not only into cutting-edge engineering but also into how aviation will shape travel experiences in the next decade.

Looking Ahead

Flight tests for the open-fan engine are expected within the next few years. When fully implemented, these engines could power commercial jets, providing more eco-friendly, efficient, and reliable air travel.

For travelers, this development is a sign of the exciting changes coming to the aviation industry. Dubai, already a key stopover for millions of tourists, is giving the world a preview of how greener, smarter engines will redefine flying.

Final Thoughts

The 2025 Dubai Airshow is more than a showcase of new technology—it’s a glimpse into the future of global travel. CFM International’s RISE open-fan engine represents a step toward sustainable, quieter, and more efficient flights. Travelers worldwide have reason to be optimistic. The skies are getting smarter, cleaner, and ready to offer a better journey for everyone.