DUBAI Airshow closed its doors setting a new record in visitor numbers and confirming that the Middle East region is the springboard for a rebounding aerospace industry.
The event attracted 52,978 industry professionals from 138 countries, an 18 per cent rise on the previous show in 2007, while welcoming new visitors from seven additional countries.
The increase in visitors was reflected in the show’s highest-ever exhibitor numbers – 890 companies from 47 countries, with 150 first-time participants – plus an additional 7,000 sq m in floor space.
The event closed with a declared onsite order-book in excess of $14 billion, including sales of civil and military aircraft, helicopters and engines and agreements for heavy maintenance, cabin refurbishment and crew management processes. While the UAE accounted for the largest country share, it represented less than a third of the overall tally at just over 17,000 visitors.
Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president, Dubai Department of Civil Aviation and chairman of Dubai Airports positioned the UAE at the forefront of the expected upturn saying: “We are open to ideas, we are ready to work with companies in partnership.
“It is the Middle East – and the GCC in particular – that has seen a growth in air transport, while elsewhere there have been falling passenger numbers. It is also in this region that we see the greatest investment in ground infrastructure such as airports and air-traffic management systems.”
A notable increase in visitors from North African states was reflected in the onsite orders placed. Airbus closed lucrative deals with Ethiopian and Senegal Airlines, along with Nepal and Yemenia.
Highlights from the show:
The eve-of-show announcement by Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Development Company that it would open an advanced composite aero structure manufacturing unit in the emirate’s second city of Al Ain was seen as a forerunner of things to come.
 |
|
Aircraft line up at the show |
Etihad Airways unveiled details of its $750-million investment in its workforce, fleet, in-flight service and planning and resourcing systems. In addition, the airline also announced deals which will see the introduction of state-of-the-art software systems aimed at improving its flight planning and cabin and flight crew resourcing. Etihad also showcased the new first class suite on one of its newest Airbus A340-600 aircraft.
DAE Capital took final day headlines with its $40-million order – one of a total $1-billion series the company placed at the show – this time for wheels and carbon brakes for its planned Boeing 737 fleet. The order went to Messier-Bugatti of France.
A logistical accomplishment, Emirates successfully coordinated the departure of 16 aircraft within 16 minutes each day of the 2009 Dubai Airshow.
The Group joined hands with the Senegalese government to support its carrier, which is due to begin operations next year. Under the alliance, the Emirates Group will assist the airline in its start-up and post-launch phases with commercial and technical expertise, training and aviation-related goods and services
For flydubai, the highlight of the show was the visit to the airline’s newest Boeing 737-800 aircraft by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice-president and prime minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. This was followed by a raft of announcements including two aircraft financing deals worth $160m and the announcement of Bahrain as its tenth destination.
Boeing, the US aircraft maker, forecast a requirement among Middle East carriers for 1,710 new aircraft, valued at $300 billion over the next 20 years with twin-aisle aircraft expected to account for around 50 per cent of the demand, single-aisle airplanes, around 40 per cent and the remainder being made up of demand for regional jets.
A significant number of companies have already signed up to the next Dubai Airshow at Airport Expo, Dubai, from October 30 to November 3, 2011.