Largest ever Dubai airshow a 'barometer' for huge mid-east aviation growth

Dubai: The 10th edition of the Dubai Airshow, which is completely sold out, has smashed all the international event's previous records of size, exhibitor and aircraft numbers and aircraft displayed.

The show is readying itself for its final showing at the Airport Expo Dubai next week and prepares for its 2009 move to a new, purpose-built facility at Dubai World Central, the huge urban aviation community being built in Jebel Ali, 30 kilometres north of Dubai city centre.

With 850 exhibitors from 50 countries - a 40% increase on 2005 participation - and covering more than 35,000 square metres, with more than 140 aircraft on display, Dubai Airshow 2007, which runs from November 11-15, has resoundingly stamped its authority on the international aviation arena and secured its mantle as the world's third largest global aerospace event after Le Bourget in Paris and Farnborough in the UK.

“The scale of growth in the show over the past two years, which amounts to some 40% in booked floor space, reflects the massive growth the Middle East's aviation industry is experiencing across all segments,'' said His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), and Chairman of Dubai Airports.

“Regional carriers are expanding fleets and networks, there is huge investment in the region's aviation infrastructure, the aviation service sector is attracting a considerable influx in FDI, and the training and development of the industry's regional talent pool is moving forward at pace.

“Once again the Dubai Airshow is proving to be a barometer of Middle East aviation growth and with this year's event being the largest in the event's 18 year history there is a clear signal that the global aerospace industry is now prioritising activities in this region.''

Fairs & Exhibitions (F&E), which organises the show in conjunction with Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Dubai Airports and in collaboration with the UAE Armed Forces, has managed to accommodate growth despite space restrictions at Airport Expo Dubai.

“We have been creative in floor space planning, narrowing aisles, increasing outdoor pavilion space and even using space under stair wells to satisfy unprecedented demand,'' said Virginia Kern, Chairman, F&E. “We are also in the happy position of already receiving requests for space allocation at the 2009 event, which we can now accommodate with greater ease thanks to the investment of the Dubai Government in the new, purpose-built site in Jebel Ali.''

F&E says the geographic appeal of the Dubai Airshow is now spreading, resulting in huge demand from new-to-market exhibitors.

“This year we have some 130 newcomers from 24 countries - which accounts for more than 10% of the overall exhibitor profile,'' explained Alison Weller, Director - Aerospace, F&E. “If past experience is anything to go by, these newcomers will achieve considerable business results which will lead them to want to expand their space next time around.''

This year's show has also first-time representation from five countries - the Cayman Islands, the Philippines, Ethiopia, Afghanistan and Luxembourg.

“And with 11 national pavilions, 91 chalets and 15 outdoor pavilions - up from five in 2005 - it truly is a house-full scenario,'' explained Weller.

National pavilions at the show will represent Austria, Canada, France, Germany, India, Jordan, the Netherlands, Sweden, the Ukraine, UK and USA.

“We have all the biggest names in the business, both from a civil and military perspective, as well as a host of newcomers, some of which are set to be powerful regional and international influencers,'' said Weller.