Dubai: The 2013 Dubai Airshow next month is set to be the biggest in the event’s history, organisers said at a media event.
On Wednesday, F&E Aerospace, the team behind Dubai Airshow, hosted representatives of the media at its new permanent purpose-built venue in Dubai World Central.
The show was previously held at Airport Expo near Dubai International.
Sharief Fahmy, Chief Executive Officer, F&E Aerospace, said a thousand visitors are slated to attend the Airshow next month, a 11 per cent increase on the last event hosted in 2011.
The new purpose-built venue provides organisers and exhibitors with more space than previously available at past events. Fahmy said the exhibitor hall was “the size of seven [American] football fields” and the outdoor capacity is 32 per cent larger than the 2011 event.
Moving to its new permanent home has also increased airspace capacity for the flying shows by the UAE’s Al Fursan and United Kingdom’s Red Arrows.
Increasing passenger traffic and aircraft movement at Dubai International has granted higher capacity demand for airlines operating into the airport. At its new home the Airshow will be subject to fewer flying restrictions, Fahmy said.
Fahmy said the event was “practically sold out” but that they were still selling spaces and would find room for exhibitors.
Romania and Sweden are set to make their Dubai Airshow debut in the country pavilions.
Canada and China have increased their presence at this year’s event. There will be 32 companies from Canada at the show, a 48 per cent increase on the previous event and China will have 25 companies, a 15 per cent increase.
The UAE and United States still lead the way for exhibitors. The UAE will have 266 companies at the Airshow, a 21 per cent larger presence that the previous event whilst the US, with 11 per cent more companies, will have 197 on show.
The Airbus A400m military aircraft and the Boeing F/A – 18E Super Hornet will be on display in the region for the first time next month. While Qatar Airways will have a 787 Dreamliner on show and Emirates will be displaying one of their A380s.
Skyview will take place alongside the Dubai Airshow. The family-oriented event will include a 4000 grandstand to watch national aerobatic teams and military and commercial aircraft perform aerial displays.
The Dubai Airshow 2013 takes place from November 17–21 at Dubai World Central. Skyview is from November 18 – 21.
