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Every major civil and military aviation company
in the world will be present at this prestigious
event, with space sold for 1000 companies and
the exhibitors expecting at least 55,000 visitors.
As always, the airshow would be inaugurated by
Dubai Ruler Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum,
who is also the Vice President and Prime Minister
of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He had inaugurated
the first edition in 1989 on January 29.
The Air Show has strong presentations from both
the civil and military segments, and on its sidelines,
Chiefs of Air Staff from several countries and
top industry heads have been invited.
Boeing 787 Dreamliner is making its debut at
the airshow, while the French Dassault and its
sister company Rafale International are making
a strong pitch to sell the advanced Rafale combat
jets to the UAE. Unconfirmed reports indicate
that negotiations between the UAE and Rafale International
are in the final stages for 80 aircraft, configured
to specific UAE requirements.
London’s Fairs and Exhibitions Limited (F&E),
which has been holding the event from 1989, says
that it is expecting some major announcements
at the event. Alison Weller, Managing Director,
of F&E Aerospace, hinted on expecting announcements
from the Gulf’s leading airlines and low-cost
carriers.
Said Weller: The Dubai Airshow really reflects
the UAE’s development in aerospace over the last
40 years, with the percentage of UAE exhibitors
rising from just five percent at the very first
show in 1989, to 35 percent of exhibitors expected
at this year’s show.”
Notably, Boeing has said in its 2011 outlook
that airlines from the Middle East will add 2,340
aircraft to their fleets by 2029, estimated to
cost around US$390 billion. Air transport requirements
of the region to connect with the world are growing
and that, the fleet growth will also require 32,700
trained pilots and 44,500 technicians.
Boeing has a backlog of 131 Dreamliners on order
from customers in the region. There is a conference
on training also, showcasing simulators and systems
in this regard.
Among the top companies taking part in the show
are Lockheed Martin, Sikorsky, Honeywell, Eurofighter,
Safran, Eurojet, Engine Alliance, Rolls-Royce,
ATR, Bombardier and Raytheon. Notably, Raytheon
has sold many of its advanced onboard combat systems
and missiles, including the Patriot antimissile
missile, to the UAE and other countries in the
region.
It may be recalled that When the first edition
of Dubai Air Show was first inaugurated in 1989,
it was not a modest beginning.
The event was promising, indicative of the growth
that military and civil aviation would take place
in the Gulf and elsewhere in the Middle East.
The Government of Dubai was enthusiastic for the
success of this show, indeed as it always is for
anything that it does for the growth of this great
cosmopolitan city.
The Dubai Airshow 2011 is on a vertical trajectory,
rising and rising.
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