15 Nov 09. Dubai Airshow launches with 890 exhibitors. As the Dubai Airshow kicks off today, it is widely expected that the deals at this year’s event will pale in comparison to the previous show in 2007, which saw over $155bn worth of orders during the five days that it ran. Still, the event remains one of the largest of its kind in the world, with 890 companies from 47 countries exhibiting at this year’s show, an increase over 2007 when it attracted 850 exhibitors. (Source: Google)
15 Nov 09. The 11th and largest in the biennial series, was officially opened today by Their Highnesses Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Makoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. The joint opening prompted aviation and aerospace industry observers to comment on changing UAE industry dynamics – with Abu Dhabi’s move into advanced composite aero structure manufacture seen as a forerunner of things to come. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed last week laid the foundation stone of the STRATA manufacturing facility, initiated by Mubadala Development Company in Al Ain, the capital of Abu Dhabi’s Eastern Region. The two Sheikh Mohammeds toured the show, which features 890 companies from 47 countries and 13 country and regional pavilions, stopping to board several of the 130 aircraft on the static park. They were accompanied by a large contingent of visiting delegation heads and ministers including HRH Prince Feisal Bin Al Hussein, Special Assistant to Jordan’s Joint Chief of Staff and HE Sayyid Badr Bin Saud Al Busaidi, Minister in Charge of Defence for the Sultanate of Oman. The UAE VIP contingent included Their Highnesses Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President, Department of Civil Aviation and Chairman, Dubai Airports, Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Ruler’s Representative in the Eastern Region and the Crown Prince of Ajman, Sheikh Ammar Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi. Also present were Their Excellencies Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Higher Education; Sheikha Lubna Khalid Al Qassimi, the UAE’s Foreign Trade Minister and Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansoori, UAE Minister of Economy. The extensive royal tour started on the static park with a visit to Dassault Aviation’s Rafale Omnirole fighter. This was quickly followed by a stop at the impressive Airbus A380 when the royal entourage was invited onboard by Tom Enders, Airbus President and Chief Executive. After the tour Enders said: “When we came here in 2007 the aircraft displayed here was the first one, now we can see many, not just here but across the globe.” And, just to underline the point an A380 dutifully took off behind the royal tour. Enders added: “We are here to talk to our many customers in what is still a vibrant region for the air industry. For sure these are difficult times and we are in a deep recession, but the signs, especially here in the Middle East, and here at this show, are that things are improving. There will be difficult times for the next three years I’m sure, but there are still forecasts that there will be 25,000 more aircraft flying in 20 years time.” The royal party stopped to take a look at the Alenia Aeromachi M346 Master. There they spoke to Alenia Aeromachi’s Chief Test Pilot Olinto Cecconello and he said: “Both their Highnesses were very interested in our aircraft and being pilots they were particularly interested in the technical specifications of the aircraft.” In a message to show participants, Sheikh Mohammed said the show clearly demonstrated the resilience of the UAE’s events and exhibitions industry and the country’s commitment to economic and technological advancement. “The events and exhibitions industry remains as strong as ever in the UAE, which places great importance on this sector as evidenced by provision of the finest