Dubai Airshow: Orders worth billions of dollars to be announced

The biennial Dubai Airshow, which opened its doors to delegates and visitors on Sunday, is the biggest yet, with the five-day-long show boasting more than 1,000 exhibitors – an increase of 12 per cent over the previous event held in 2009 – and nearly 55,000 trade visitors expected to attend – a 4 per cent increase from the previous show, according to its organisers.

In fact, a quick visit by 'Emirates24|7' to the expo area last week – when exhibitors and organisers were busy putting finishing touches to their displays and stands – revealed that the Airport Expo’s Reception Building had been extended and the outdoor chalet and static aircraft display area had been re-designed to accommodate more outdoor exhibits to cater to the increased business this year.

While not many expect the latest edition to overshadow the deals record set during the 2007 show, when more than $155 billion worth of deals were announced – the highest ever for any global aviation event – a number of big international and regional players have already hinted at announcing substantial orders at the current event, which bodes well for the world’s aviation industry.

Qatar’s state-owned carrier Qatar Airways last week suggested it will make a “major” announcement at the airshow.  “Qatar Airways will have a formidable presence at the Dubai Airshow,” a spokesperson for the airline said in a statement to Qatar News Agency. The carrier will make a “major announcement” at the event, the spokesperson added.

The airline, which already has more than 200 aircraft on order with the order-book worth more than $40 billion at list prices, said the announcement would be in line with its rapid expansion plans.

Eastern Express, UAE’s first domestic services airline that will commence operations between its base, Fujairah, and Abu Dhabi in the first quarter of 2012, is expected to reveal its corporate structure and operational plans at the airshow. The airline is a joint venture between the two local aviation firms – Abu Alhoul (Sphinx) Aviation and Al Hajjar Aviation – and is expected to cover other GCC countries later with its air feeder concept, an established practice in the more mature aviation markets across the world.

Moreover, VistaJet, a luxury aviation firm, has said it will commit new aircraft to the Middle East, in response to strong demand for its services across the region and in particular from the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. “The announcement will be made in time for the Dubai Airshow, the most significant forum for the Middle East aviation community,” a spokesperson told this website without revealing further details.

Last week, the company announced a firm order for three new Bombardier aircraft with a total value of approximately $110 million at list price, in addition to VistaJet’s $2 billion order backlog.

Additionally, the Airshow is welcoming more than 100 aircraft, some of them appearing for the first time in the Middle East. The daily flying demonstration will display a full complement of both civil and military aircraft, including the Eurofighter Typhoon, Boeing’s F18 Super Hornet and Dassault’s Rafale fighter.

New companies account for some 20 per cent of the growth of this edition of the Dubai Airshow and a number countries from key regions – such as Australia, France, Jordan and the US – have increased their exhibition stand and/or chalet and pavilion area to optimise their presence, the organisers said in a statement.

Alison Weller, Managing Director of airshow organiser F&E Aerospace, said: “The Dubai Airshow is bigger than ever this year and this is reflected in the variety of aircraft, both civil and military, on display and in the flying display, making it a show not to be missed.”

For the first time ever, and reflecting the 40th anniversary of the UAE, the flying display will open with the country’s own aerobatic team – Al Fursan – which will fly Alenia Aermacchi aircraft. The display will also feature the Patrouille de France aerobatic team, flying the Alpha jets.

The Dubai Airshow is organised under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President & Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and in co-operation with Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Dubai Airports and the UAE Armed Forces.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.