Dubai: Dubai Helishow 2012, the civil and military helicopter technology and operations exhibition, opened in Dubai on Tuesday.

The biennial, being held at the Meydan Hotel, was inaugurated by Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri, the UAE Minister of Economy.

The first day of the show — which will run until Thursday — saw almost 100 exhibitors network with over 1,500 trade visitors, encompassing two key sectors of helicopter use — military, home land security and civil defence; and air medical and rescue services.