Sand & Fun 2025 Set to Draw Global Aerospace Industry to Riyadh This November
Clarion Events has landed a major deal in the heart of Saudi Arabia’s booming aviation sector. The global event organizer has been appointed as the official commercial partner for Sand & Fun 2025, the country’s first large-scale general aviation showcase. Scheduled for November 25–29 at Riyadh’s Thumamah Airport, the event is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious air shows in the Middle East this year.
More than just a display of aircraft, Sand & Fun aims to blend aviation with adventure, culture, and innovation—right under the clear desert skies.
Riyadh Gears Up for a New Kind of Airshow
Set in the vast Thumamah desert, just outside the capital, Sand & Fun 2025 is expected to pull in over 120,000 visitors across five days. That’s a massive turnout for a first-time event, especially in the general aviation space.
Unlike the big commercial airshows in Dubai or Farnborough, this one leans into accessibility and inspiration. Think hang gliders alongside helicopters. Jetpacks and desert drones. High-octane aerobatic displays, flanked by cultural performances and educational talks. The Saudi Aviation Club, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, sees it as a statement moment.
There’s a deeper message too. Officials say the event isn’t just for the aviation elite—it’s designed to make flying feel local, shared, and inclusive.
Clarion’s Global Track Record Meets Local Vision
Clarion Events isn’t new to big productions. With decades of experience organizing international defense, aerospace, and consumer exhibitions, it brings a powerhouse reputation to the table.
Iain Pitt, Clarion’s Managing Director, called the partnership “an honour,” and said the company was committed to making the Riyadh show a landmark event. He stressed that combining Clarion’s international network with Saudi Arabia’s homegrown aviation culture could deliver a “must-attend” moment for the industry.
His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Fahad Alfahaid, who leads the Saudi Aviation Club, echoed that sentiment, saying the event would reflect “our national mission to make aviation an inclusive, inspiring, and strategic sector.”
That’s not just rhetoric. With Vision 2030 in full swing, Saudi Arabia is trying to diversify its economy and push into future-facing industries. Aviation, especially general aviation, is a big piece of that.
What to Expect on the Ground (and in the Sky)
Organizers have teased a mix of experiences across the Sand & Fun grounds. From hands-on demos to elite international flight displays, it’s going to be packed. And not just for pilots or CEOs—families, students, engineers, and investors are all part of the target crowd.
Midway through the weeklong event, programming will include:
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Sky Ventures: innovation showcases for drones, eVTOLs, and personal flight tech
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Hangar Talks: on-the-ground panels with aerospace leaders and engineers
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Static Displays: modern aircraft and vintage fly-ins parked for public viewing
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International Pavilions: spotlighting aviation ecosystems from around the world
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Cultural Integration: food, music, and desert storytelling fused with air shows
For an industry that often feels locked behind cockpit doors and hangar gates, this is a breath of fresh air.
Saudi Arabia Eyes a New Altitude in Aviation
Behind the showmanship lies a strategic push. Saudi Arabia is investing billions in aviation—from upgrading airports to building new airlines like Riyadh Air. General aviation—private planes, charter operators, and aerial services—is one area where the country has been playing catch-up.
Sand & Fun is part of the solution. It creates a platform for both global and local stakeholders to connect. New talent, new tech, and new deals—all in one place.
And while major aerospace players are expected, the organizers are just as keen on startups, drone developers, and pilot schools making their presence known.
One industry consultant familiar with the event planning said: “It’s not just an air show—it’s a signal that Saudi wants to own a bigger piece of the aviation pie, from desert dust-ups to digital skies.”
Building Aviation as Culture, Not Just Business
One of the more unique aspects of Sand & Fun is how deeply it taps into Saudi identity. Organizers keep repeating a phrase—aviation as a shared experience.
That’s not accidental.
By weaving culture into the programming, they aim to break the mold of technical-only expos. Children will be able to climb into cockpits. Teenagers can join flight simulator competitions. Artists and engineers will mix in the same hangars.
It’s an intentional effort to ground aviation in public imagination—especially among young Saudis who may one day build the next regional airline, or invent the next desert drone.
And with Clarion’s seasoned hand steering logistics, the scale and polish should match the ambition.
