• Home
• /
• Business

Aviation giants set to face stiff competition

DUBAI — Dubai Airshow 2007 is set to showcase new-to-market aircraft models next week as aviation giants are expected to face stiff competition to clinch deals worth billions of dollars from the regional airlines.

Although, the $20 billion order by Emirates is uncertain and unlikely to be announced during the five-day show starting from November 11, Boeing and Airbus are expecting to secure orders for 787 Dreamliners and A350 XWBs from other Gulf carriers including Qatar Airways, Etihad and Air Arabia.

The Boeing Company will spotlight a wide range of products and services during the Dubai Airshow.

"Boeing comes to Dubai with a record backlog, strong momentum and clear strategies in both our commercial airplane and defence businesses," said Tom Downey, senior vice-president communication.

Over 900 exhibitors from 50 countries will attend the five-day event. A key element of this year's show is the high propensity of new-to-market exhibitors — 130 to date from 24 countries — accounting for one tenth of the show's entire exhibitor profile.

Over 140 aircraft and helicopters will be on display at the 10th edition of the airshow, which runs from November 11-15 at the Airport Expo Dubai. The show will also feature 11 country pavilions.

The event, which is expected to attract up to 40,000 visitors, will host new-to-market aircraft models ranging from strike fighters to trainers, from VIP business jets to heavy cargo carriers.

The show will display some of the world's most advanced, state-of-the-art aircraft, many of which are touching down in Dubai for the very first time. Helicopters also feature heavily in the 2007 showing with the MD 902 Helicopter, making its regional exhibition debut.

"The aircraft fleet we will have on display is unparalleled regionally or internationally and is testament to both the reputation of the Dubai Airshow and the importance of the Middle East to the global aviation market," said Alison Weller, Director-Aerospace, Fairs & Exhibitions — which organises the show.

"The wide diversity of aircraft shows the depth and breadth of our exhibitor portfolio and we know visitors to the Dubai Airshow will be in for a major treat as they will see first hand the very best the industry has to offer," he added.

Switzerland's Grob Aerospace; Germany's Henkel Aerospace; Russia's International Association of Space Activities and Sweden's Volvo Aero will also grace the event.

Cayman Islands, Afghanistan, Luxembourg, the Philippines and Ethiopian's representative companies will also attend the show for the first time.

This year's static display will boast its largest ever aircraft showing including regional debuts from the Cirrus SR22 G3, the Eclipse 500, the Dassault Falcon 7X, and the Sino Swearingen SJ30.

The Russian MIG 29 multi-role fighter aircraft and the block 60 Lockheed Martin F-16 will also take to the skies during the show's daily flying display as will the Airbus A380, adorned in the company's livery as it makes its return to the UAE.

Moreover, this year's flying display will feature performances by three of the world's top aerobatics display team — Britain's Red Arrows flying the BAE Systems' training Hawk, the Patrouille de France in the Dassault/ Dornier AlphaJet, and Spain's Patrulla Aguila.