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Mohammed inaugurates Dubai Airshow
DUBAI - His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has opened the 11th Dubai Airshow, touring planes including Airbus and flydubai, amidst a tightly packed static display at the Dubai Airport Expo.
Shaikh Mohammed opened the biennial event alongside Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces this morning.
The ceremony was also attended by Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council.
Their Highnesses, along with various other ministers and dignitaries, also visited stands including the European consortium's Eurofighter Typhoon and French Air Force as some industry experts predict defence orders to drive deals at the show.
Several of the air forces present, including UAE, UK, US and France, are conducting training exercises this week and on Saturday air chiefs gathered for the Dubai International Air Chiefs Conference.
UAE officials confirmed earlier in the year the country had held discussions with France to buy advance Rafale fighters which are on display.
Nine different fourth-generation planes are being presented, including the US-made Lockheed Martin F22 Raptor, which cancelled its display at the Paris airshow, and the upgraded F16 Fighting Falcons. Competing directly for this market are the Russian MiGs and Sukhois.
Nearly 900 companies are exhibiting at the show, slightly more than the previous show in 2007. Running until Thursday, the show is expected to attract 50,000 visitors.
The airshow, now spoken of in the same vein as the traditional venues of Farnborough and Le Bourget, is being seen as a ‘high flying' testimony to Dubai's turnaround from the global recession, reinforced by the host emirate's decision to maintain its A380 orders.
"The 11th edition of Dubai Airshow adds a new chapter to the UAE's long record of achievements," Shaikh Mohammed said.
The show's success underscored the UAE's growing prominence as a global aviation hub and a vital bridge between the East and the West, Shaikh Mohammed said in a statement given to the Nation Shield magazine published by the UAE Armed Forces.
The show is a "must event" on the agenda of top corporations involved in the air industry, aviation technology, marketing, supply, construction and management of airports, as well as for top officials of defence, civil and military aviation in friendly countries, he said. "This track record of success makes Dubai Airshow the fastest growing exhibition in the world," Shaikh Mohammed said.
"This remarkable success in aviation industry has strengthened our confidence, optimism and pride, and served as a motivation for more hard work and greater emphasis on quality, excellence and innovation. This record can only be kept by reaching new horizons through our ongoing plans and projects."
Dubai Airshow will feature commercial aircraft, both long and short haul from Boeing and Airbus, and the latest business jets led by Bombardier.
In a separate interview with the Nation Shield, General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, said that the consistent successes achieved by the Dubai Airshow underscored the confidence of the global aviation industry in the ability and efficiency of UAE nationals in organising major global events.
"It is my pleasure to express our deepest satisfaction with Dubai International Air Show 2009 as a source of national pride. The continuous success of the show, which has rightly become a top global platform, reflects worldwide belief in our ability to organise this unique event," the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince said.
"The increasing number of participant exhibitors and leading international aviation corporations reflects the farsightedness and sound policy of the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and the support of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and Their Highness, the Members of the Supreme Federal Council and Rulers of the Emirates," General Shaikh Mohammed said.
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