UAE leaders attend Dubai Airshow opening

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UAE leaders attend Dubai Airshow opening

dubai - Sheikh Mohammed inaugurated the 15th biennial Dubai Airshow on Sunday

By Staff Report

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Published: Sun 12 Nov 2017, 6:55 PM

Last updated: Sun 12 Nov 2017, 7:50 PM

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubi, on Sunday inaugurated the 15th Dubai Airshow at Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai World Central.

Also present during the inauguration of the five-day forum were Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces; and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.

The biennial Dubai Airshow opened on Sunday and feature more than 1,200 exhibitors - including 100 taking part for the first time - and over 160 aircraft on display during the show.
The five-day event, which is open for trade visitors only, will be the biggest in terms of the number of exhibitors, visitors and aircraft displays.
The airshow, which will open from 10am to 5.30pm daily, is expected to attract 72,500 visitors this year as compared to 66,346 in the 2015 edition which witnessed $37.2 billion worth of orders - the fourth highest since records began. About 1,103 exhibitors from 61 countries attended the 2015 air show.
Starting at 2pm in the afternoon, several aircraft will take to the skies to mesmerise the audience with their aerobatic skills and formation flying techniques. 

First glimpses of the Day 1 at Dubai Airshow:
Emirates to have swanky new cabins for Boeing 777 fleet  
 Etihad Airways's Airbus A380-800 aircraft on display
Photos: Visitors passing through security check on the first day
Dubai roads to avoid today as Airshow traffic builds up

Will Dubai Airshow see big orders for makers?

 
The UAE air passenger traffic is expected to grow at a rate of 5.7 per cent per year, which is well above the global average of 4.4 per cent. Global freight traffic will see an annual increase of 3.8 per cent in the next two decades.

According to the 2017 Airbus Global Market Forecast, the fleet size of all operators (including non-UAE carriers) serving the UAE is projected to almost treble to 2,100 aircraft by 2036.

Overall, future demand for the Middle East's fleet is valued at $600 billion for a global market value of $5.3 trillion. The current total Airbus orders from Middle East-based carriers stand at 1,319 aircraft.

Airbus will have a strong presence at the Dubai Airshow. The company will showcase its range of innovative technologies, products and services, from market-leading commercial and military aircraft to helicopters and space systems.

Boeing sought to dispel concerns about a slowdown in the growth of Gulf airlines. Speaking on the eve of the showcase event, executives at the US planemaker also played down the impact of growing political tensions in the region. "Traffic is coming back and yields are improving and this is going to be a very positive backdrop to the Dubai Airshow," Marty Bentrott, vice-president for Boeing's commercial sales in the region, said, citing higher profit at Dubai's Emirates.

"There is absolutely no change. We consider Saudi Arabia to be a very strong partner and we are going ahead with our plans," Ahmed Jazzar, president of Boeing Saudi Arabia, said.

The planemaker, meanwhile, said it had seen strong regional interest in a proposed new mid-sized passenger jet. - business@khaleejtimes.com
With inputs from Reuters



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