'DAS one of the top international aviation events'

DUBAI -Director F&E Aerospace Alison Weller, said Dubai Air show has become one of the most important events in the world due to the exceptional organisational abilities of F&E.

By (WAM)

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Published: Fri 13 Nov 2009, 3:38 PM

Last updated: Thu 2 Apr 2015, 8:24 AM

She also credited in an interview with ‘Nation Shield Journal’ the Dubai government for its assistance in staging the event, which is one of the foremost aerospace events in the region and the Middle East.

Excerpts of the interview:

Renovation is one of the specialties of Dubai Air show, how do you achieve that and what is there in store for Dubai 2009?

This year we have an additional hall of some 7,000sqm. Airbus, with the EADS group, will join hall sponsor Emirates, the Dubai-based international airline, along with Lufthansa Technik, TAP Maintenance & Engineering, Air France Industries KLM E&M, Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), Dubai Airports and Dubai World Central - Aviation City, among others.

Aerospace Group, Fairs & Exhibitions has added as a specialized organization to the success of Dubai 2007. For sure there is a secret behind this success will you please elaborate?

F&E Aerospace is a division of Fairs & Exhibitions (F&E) and organises a number of aerospace shows. In addition to Dubai Air show, F&E Aerospace organises the Middle East Business Aviation (MEBA) show in November 2008 attracted some 250 exhibitors from 30 countries and over 5,500 visitors. Organised on behalf of Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA), the event closed with more than US$1.5billion worth of deals announced. The next MEBA event will take place from 7 to 9 December 2010 in Dubai.

Aircraft Interiors Middle East (AIME) services the region’s rapidly developing commercial and business aviation market. The second running of AIME will take place from 28 February to 1 March 2010 at Dubai Airport Expo.

MRO Middle East 2010, the highly successful maintenance, repair and overhaul show, run in conjunction with Aviation Week magazine, will be co-located with AIME. The inaugural event in 2009 exceeded initial projections, with more than 1,200 registered visitors from nearly 50 countries.

The Aerospace & Defence Training Show (ADTS) is the latest event in F&E Aerospace’s stable. Predominantly a conference with a supporting exhibition, ADTS will debut in 2010 at Dubai Airport Expo, from 3 to 4 March. The event is dedicated to the growing Middle East demand for both civil and military aerospace training, recruitment and simulation.

Dubai Air show since 1989 is considered as one of the greatest events worldwide. Is this due to certain characteristics in Dubai as a town in particular or due to the successful organization by you?

Of course we would like to say that it has become one of the best events in the world due to our organisational abilities but we also must give credit to the Dubai government for its assistance in staging the event, which is of great significance in the whole Middle East as it is the foremost aerospace event in the region.

As we look forward for Dubai International Aerospace Exhibition 2009, how do you evaluate this Edition and what are your future plans to promote the coming Edition?

We are looking forward to a successful 2009 edition as the green shoots of economic recovery are becoming more apparent around the world, and we are already planning the 2011 edition which promises to be even better.

Please note the name of the event is now Dubai Air show, not the international aerospace exhibition, please uses the new name when referring to Dubai Air show.

What makes Dubai 2009 different from the previous Edition?

As I’ve said, we have a new, additional exhibition hall, due to unprecedented demand for more space by exhibitors.

Dubai 2009 is considered a centre for the most significant decision makers to meet: what are the preparations made for inviting and receiving such dignitaries?

The UAE Government’s Ministry of Defence has confirmed that representatives at ministerial and senior military level from well over 50 countries have been invited to attend the Dubai Air show. F&E Aerospace has appointed a dedicated delegations team to work closely with embassies globally to ensure the attendance of key personalities, including Chiefs of Air Force, Army, Navy, Chiefs of Staff, Defence Chiefs and Defence Ministers, plus members of the region’s Ruling Families. For the civil delegations, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority has invited key airlines and civil aviation authorities.

As Dubai Air show grows in size, what are the extensions made for Dubai 2009?

As I’ve said, we have a new, additional exhibition hall, due to unprecedented demand for more space by exhibitors.

Looking at Dubai 2009 from an expert’s point of view, what is new in this Edition?

Dubai Air show has confirmed the showing of an awe-inspiring range of aircraft such as the Dubai Air show debut of the F22 Raptor, the advanced jet trainer Falcon L-15 from China-based AVIC, and a full-scale replica of the Eurofighter. In the exhibition halls, the EADS stand will showcase an array of the group’s exhibits, including two impressive full-scale mock-ups - the Airbus A350 XWB cabin, in which visitors can watch the “Shaping Efficiency” audio-visual presentation, and Eurocopter’s 16-seater civilian helicopter, the EC175. The Italian Air force’s Frecce Tricolori and Patrouille de France aerobatic teams will display the capabilities of the Aermacchi MB339s and the Alpha Jet trainers, respectively, in the daily flying display.

Dubai International Aerospace Exhibition 2009 is expected to be the largest since its inception in 1989 in terms of size, exhibitors, official delegations. On your opinion how true is this statement and what does it indicate?

It will be bigger. Everything to date points towards the show being 10 per cent bigger than the previous event.

As an expert in this field how do you evaluate Dubai 2009 in comparison to similar air shows worldwide?

We position the Dubai Airshow as the foremost aerospace event in the Middle East and the fastest growing in the world. In terms of size, it’s hard to compare us at a time when we’re celebrating our 20th anniversary while the Paris Air Show, the world’s biggest, has just celebrated its centennial. We are placed in different markets and at different growth stages from the European model and there is no comparison.

In terms of relevance within the industry, I think we can say that we are the showcase for aerospace in a region on which the world is focused, following the staggering orders by Middle East companies at June’s Paris Air Show.

Preparations for Dubai International Aerospace Exhibition are always considered perfect compared to other international events, what are the motives, incentives that lead to such a higher standard in every Edition?

After 20 years of running the air show we never rest on our laurels. We always aim to go one step further and grow and improve the show not just in quantity but in the quality we deliver. We do this with great support from the Government of Dubai, Dubai Airports, the UAE Armed Forces and our official Airline Emirates.

We are used to see in Dubai Air show exciting events, what do you expect to be the most outstanding events this year?

The DIAC (Dubai International Air Chiefs Conference) Conference the day before the show will be one of the key highlights, attracting over 20 Air Chiefs from around the world it is a great addition to the show. The Conference is hosted by the UAE Chief of the Air Force and run by Inegma.

What is the reason for the increase in the number of exhibitors and countries expected to participate in Dubai Air show 2009?

The Dubai Airshow acts as a barometer for the Middle East aviation industry and as this sector of industry is still growing, so are we.

The Dubai Air show has been growing from strength to strength, what are the future plans to keep it going and insure its success?

We always listen to our customers, the exhibitors and visitors who attend the show and we develop ideas for the show based on our discussions and input from them. We also pick up on growing trends in the Middle East aviation industry to open up new opportunities for the show in years to come.

How do you evaluate preparation for Dubai 2009 and what is the rate of success you expect?

We have reviewed the last event in 2007 and highlighted points for improvement which we have implemented for this year’s event. The last Dubai Air show attracted some 45,000 visitors and we are targeting a 10 per cent increase, up to approximately 50,000 visitors for this year’s event. Similarly, as above, we expect about a 10 per cent rise in exhibitor numbers over the event in 2007 which attracted some 850.

We’re hopeful that there will be an increase in exhibitor and visitor numbers, not as many as we’d like but that’s to be expected in the current economic downturn.

Every Dubai Air show has a unique feature since its inception in 1989 what in store at Dubai 2009?

We are pleased to unveil an additional exhibition hall of some 7,000sqm. Many countries and companies are making their debut at Dubai 2009. It is also expected that new products will be showcased for the first time. Could you please give us a brief about such products?

In the exhibition halls, the EADS stand will showcase an array of the group’s exhibits, including two impressive full-scale mock-ups - the Airbus A350 XWB cabin, in which visitors can watch the “Shaping Efficiency” audio-visual presentation, and Eurocopter’s 16-seater civilian helicopter, the EC175.

Visitors to the show will hear about the exciting development plans for the Aerion supersonic business jet, which will fly executives at twice the speed of today’s conventional business jets. A scale model will be on display on the Aerion stand.

Mubadala Aerospace, a business unit of Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Development Company, is showcasing a number of companies from its aerospace portfolio, in what will be one of the largest participations at the show.

It has been known that the UAE Armed Forces always take part in Dubai Air show, would you please shed a light in this respect?

We work closely with the Air Force and UAE Ministry of Defence to put together a world-class delegation programme for the show. The UAE Armed Forces also send their own delegations of staff from Abu Dhabi to visit the show.

Unlike previous editions a number of companies are said to play a part in the organization of Dubai 2009, how true is that?

Dubai Air show continues to be solely organised by F&E Aerospace, in conjunction with Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and the UAE Armed Forces.


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