Podcast Summary: The Entrepreneurs – “Wheels Up! Boeing Sets a New Course for the Middle East”
Monocle Radio | November 26, 2025
Host: Tom Edwards
Guests: Dr. Brendan Nelson (SVP, Boeing Company & President, Boeing Global), Insman Rashid (Monocle Golf Correspondent), Paul Griffiths (CEO, Dubai Airports)
Episode Overview
This episode of The Entrepreneurs dives into the record-breaking Dubai Air Show, focusing particularly on Boeing’s renewed push in the Middle East region. Host Tom Edwards and Monocle’s Insman Rashid discuss the surge in commercial and defense aviation deals, hear directly from Boeing’s leadership about lessons learned and future ambitions, and tap into the strategic importance of the Gulf region for global aviation. The show includes first-hand reflections from Boeing’s Dr. Brendan Nelson and Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths, as well as a detailed recap of major deals and innovations showcased at the air show.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Boeing’s Deep Roots and Renewed Confidence in the Middle East
- Historical Connection:
- Dr. Brendan Nelson emphasizes Boeing’s 80+ year partnership with the Middle East, involving 700 employees across the region and deep ties with national carriers and governments.
- Quote: "As far as Boeing is concerned, to be back here at the Dubai Air Show in many ways is like a home away from home." (01:56)
- The Dubai Air Show as a Showcase:
- The Air Show is highlighted as not only a platform for commercial aviation but also as an indicator of the region’s ambition in tourism, economic diversification, infrastructure, and technology.
2. Momentum & Market Size
- Market Outlook:
- Boeing projects demand for 3,475 new planes over the next 20 years, requiring 230,000 new aviation professionals in the region.
- Annual growth forecast: 3.9% in commercial aviation, 4.4% in passengers.
- Strategic location: Within eight hours’ flight time, airlines can reach 80% of the world’s population, 70% of global GDP.
- Major Customers:
- Emirates: Largest 777 operator globally.
- Qatar Airways: Largest 787 operator.
- Fly Dubai: Largest 737 Max operator in the region.
- Defense & Innovation Commitments:
- Armed forces across the region use Boeing defense products (C17s, Chinooks, Apaches, etc.).
- Partnerships also extend to nine Middle Eastern universities on R&D and advanced air mobility.
3. Boeing’s Self-Reflection & Reforms
- Transparency About Turbulence:
- Dr. Nelson candidly addresses Boeing’s production issues, tragedies involving the 737 MAX, and challenges post-pandemic.
- Quote: "There has been an enduring trust in Boeing here whilst recognising that in recent years... we've had quite significant challenges." (05:48)
- Organizational Overhaul:
- Focus on culture change, staff empowerment, operational stabilization, and execution.
- Implementation of six KPIs for production quality, stand-downs for training with 70,000 staff, new CEO Kelly Ortberg appointed in August 2024.
- Quote: "We slowed our production rate significantly. We introduced six critically important KPIs for production quality... We listened to our staff for their own ideas. We implemented the ideas they put forward." (07:24)
- Emphasizing humility:
- Quote: “I do not want for one moment your listeners to think that there's any sense of overconfidence in this. We are confident in our people ... but we have to earn that trust back.” (07:24)
- Backlog as Double-Edged Sword:
- Current backlog: 6,000 planes, with orders and deliveries stretching into the early 2030s.
- Quote: “Our biggest challenge is producing those planes as safely and as efficiently as we can.” (05:48)
4. Innovation & The Future of Flight
- Product & Tech Pipeline:
- Focus on financial readiness before launching a major new aircraft.
- Next-generation aircraft to offer a minimum 25% efficiency gain.
- Heavy investments in advanced air mobility, autonomy, AI, and unmanned aerial vehicles.
- Notable mention: Testing the WISK autonomous air taxi.
- Quote: "The aircraft that people fly in will look... pretty much similar to the ones that we've got today, but with a lot of advancements of technology that's within them..." (12:36)
- Improvements to Passenger Experience:
- Emphasis on comfort, reliability, and new technologies for seamless travel.
5. Personal Perspective & Values
- Dr. Nelson shares personal pride in steering Boeing through turbulence, referencing both his political background and the company’s enduring cultural shift.
- Quote: “I came to the Boeing Company... because early in my life, I decided I wanted to use my life in a way that makes a difference to the lives of others.” (14:25)
Air Show Highlights & Regional Dynamics
6. Record-Breaking Deals and Industry Confidence (16:42 - 21:18)
- Massive Orders:
- Emirates: $38 billion for 65 Boeing 777-9s.
- Emirates: $3.4 billion for eight Airbus A350-900s.
- Fly Dubai: $25.4 billion for Airbus A321neos; $13 billion for 75 Boeing 737 MAXs.
- Defense:
- UAE’s Edge Group secures $20 billion in annual sales; $7 billion contract with Indonesia.
- Absences and Presence:
- No official Israeli presence; Russia participated with its defense/aviation systems, alongside Ukraine.
7. Safety Incident: Indian Fighter Jet Crash (20:45 - 22:49)
- Incident:
- Final day marred by the fatal crash of an Indian Tejas fighter jet. Despite the tragedy and somber mood, the show resumed after a 20-minute pause.
- Quote: "There were huge gasps, there was absolute disbelief, there was shock through the crowd." (21:18)
8. Conversation with Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths (23:26 - 28:03)
- Aviation Growth:
- Burgeoning orders prompt expansion and infrastructure planning, including new runways and terminals.
- Quote: “Where on earth are we going to find space for all these planes?... I can promise you we will find a solution...” (23:26)
- British Investment:
- UK commits $3.5 billion to Dubai’s new airport; Griffiths cites the value of British expertise and hopes it sparks further international partnership.
- Quote: “It’s a wonderful statement of confidence in the project.” (24:48)
- Aircraft Innovation & Airport Matching Pace:
- Growth of long-range narrow-body jets enables new direct routes into Dubai.
- Excitement over EVTOLs (electric vertical takeoff aircraft) for urban mobility, especially the quiet Joby Aviation models.
- Quote: “What I think is going to be a game changer for the future are these narrow body aircraft with huge endurance... Those smaller aircraft can fly up to nine hours... It will add a huge amount of opportunity for more cities to be connected directly here...” (26:15)
9. Atmosphere & Closing Anecdotes
- Air Show Vibe:
- Rashid describes the energizing, almost overwhelming nature of the show’s scale and its status as a global industry crossroads.
- Gala dinner at Atlantis The Palm noted for both star performances and the sparkling attire of Dubai Airports CEO.
Memorable Quotes (with Timestamps)
- “You need to come here. You need to see it, you need to feel it and you need to hear it.” – Dr. Brendan Nelson (02:20)
- “This is the best planes we’ve had in years.” – Dr. Brendan Nelson, customer feedback (06:33)
- “What was remarkable…is that…twenty minutes later, the air show carried on. They continued.” – Insman Rashid on Dubai’s efficiency after the air show crash (21:42)
- “We often associate aviation with a lot of noise, but actually this [EVTOL] is breaking that particular paradigm.” – Paul Griffiths (27:30)
- “We've got to get things done... But he's equally emphasising... values and behaviors. That's the sort of company I'm proud to work with.” – Dr. Brendan Nelson on Boeing culture and leadership (15:13)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:32–03:36: Dr. Nelson outlines Boeing's Middle East ties and Dubai Air Show’s significance
- 03:56–07:08: The region’s market growth, customer faith, and operational rebound
- 07:24–11:30: Boeing’s cultural reset, leadership changes, and new priorities post-crisis
- 11:49–13:49: Aircraft backlog, delivery challenges, and innovation pipeline
- 16:42–20:45: Highlights of air show deals (commercial/defense), regional players
- 21:18–22:49: Indian fighter jet crash and Dubai’s rapid response
- 23:26–28:03: Paul Griffiths on Dubai airport expansion, FDI, and next-gen aircraft trends
Tone & Language
The episode is candid, informed, and optimistic about aviation’s future. Executives discuss both triumphs and setbacks with openness, emphasizing transformation, resilience, and partnership. The conversations capture the scale and pace of change in Gulf aviation, along with a global outlook. The show is both businesslike and occasionally lighthearted, especially in closing segments.
This summary features all critical content, key moments, and provides enough context for listeners or readers to grasp the episode’s main narrative and specialized insights.