Deals made and signed at this year's Dubai Airshow are expected to be split 60-40 between civilian and defence contracts.

Alison Weller, Director of show organiser F&E Aerospace, said: "Most activity is inclined towards the civilian side of the business for this year's show. Even the press conferences are more towards the civilian segment of the aviation market – very much like the last air show two years ago."

She also welcomed the positive forecasts for the region's aerospace market.

When asked about the order values projected for the air show, Weller said: "We could not predict the $155 billion [Dh569bn] worth of orders recorded at the last air show in Dubai. So I am not going to hazard a guess for this year's show."

"However, it would be very doubtful that we would be able to get the same value of orders again given the global economic downturn. But we can remain hopeful," she added.

Meanwhile, leading aircraft manufacturers Boeing and Airbus have booked nine media announcements for the air show, "which is about the same as the 2007 show, indicating positive movements", said Weller.

Asked about the venue for the next biennial Dubai Airshow, Weller said the 2011 Dubai Airshow would be held at the same venue as this year's. "We are back at Dubai Airport for the next air show as well, until we know anymore," she added.

As per the original plans, the 2009 air show was supposed to be held at the new Al Maktoum International Airport in Jebel Ali, but things changed as the airport's opening has been delayed by one year.

Dubai Airshow 2009 is expected to attract up to 900 exhibitors – up from 850 exhibitors in the last show – from nearly 50 countries, plus about 50,000 visitors, marking an overall "increase of 10 per cent" over the previous show in 2007, according to Weller.

Among the biggest exhibitors are Abu Dhabi-based Mubadala Development Company, Emirates, Dubai Airports, Dubai World Central and European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS), said Weller.

"There has not been too much company growth this year as such," she added.

Dubai Airshow 2009 will be held from November 15 until 19. 

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