DUBAI AIRSHOW TO SHOWCASE MIDDLE EAST REGION AS LEADING THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY'S ECONOMIC RECOVERY
release date: 7th October 2009
Dubai, UAE. 7 October 2009 - Dubai Airshow opens on 15 November amid strong predictions that the Middle East region will lead the aerospace industry's economic recovery.
Running from 15 to 19 November at the Airport Expo, Dubai Airshow is the foremost aerospace event in the Middle East and the fastest-growing in the world.
Within the Middle East region's commercial aviation market, Airbus has predicted that international air passenger traffic will grow 6.6 per cent over the next decade, making it the world's fastest-growing region for aviation. It added that the number of aircraft serving the region would almost triple by 2028.
Boeing too has asserted that air travel in the Middle East is stronger than in most global regions, reporting that the market is valued at US$300 billion over the next two decades, with a requirement for more than 1,700 commercial jets.
Defence spending in the Middle East region is predicted to exceed US$100 billion by 2014, accounting for 11 per cent of arms orders globally, according to a recent report by analysts Frost & Sullivan.
The UAE spent some US$4 billion last year on defence, while Saudi Arabia looks set to allocate at least US$36 billion annually over the next five years. Bahrainand Jordan have applied to buy advanced air-to-air missiles in deals estimated at some US$200 million, according to the US Department of Defence.
Alison Weller, Director of show organiser, F&E Aerospace, welcomed the positive predictions for the region's aerospace market. "Dubai Airshow is considered the barometer of the aerospace industry in the Middle East and, when we consider these reports, both from industry watchers and the world's two leading aircraft manufacturers, we can't help but be optimistic for the success of this year's event."
Dubai Airshow is expected to attract up to 900 exhibitors from nearly 50 countries, plus some 50,000 visitors, an overall 10 per cent increase over the previous event in 2007.
The next five weeks leading up to the show will see companies complete the installation of their exhibition stands and position their aircraft on the static display park, with Middle Eastern companies expected to make up some 25 per cent of all companies exhibiting.
The show is also welcoming nearly 200 first-to-market exhibitors from 20 countries, including key first-time participants - Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), the Bin Salem Group and Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation.
A prestigious element of Dubai Airshow is the Delegations Programme in which civil and military delegations from across the world are invited to participate. The programme is co-ordinated by F&E Aerospace, in conjunction with Dubai's Department of Civil Aviation Authority, the Government of Dubai and the UAE Ministry of Defence.
"The delegations programme delivers key decision-makers to exhibitors, ensuring high-level interaction between them. This initiative has been one of the cornerstones of Dubai Airshow's continuing success and is instrumental in reinforcing its position as one of the world's top aerospace events," added Ms Weller.
To date, the show will host 13 country pavilions from Austria, Belgium, Canada, Florida, France, Germany, Jordan, Netherlands, Russia, Sweden, Ukraine, UK and USA.
The Dubai Airshow is open to industry-linked visitors only. Tickets are now on sale at http://dubaiairshow.aero/visitors/registration.html and it is strongly recommended to purchase and register tickets online to avoid queuing at the box office when the show opens.
