Dubai 2005 air show all set to open on Sunday

DUBAI — The ninth international aerospace exhibition, Dubai 2005, is set for a spectacular opening on Sunday amid bullish regional industry forecasts that have led to increased exhibitor demand.

By Isaac John

Published: Thu 17 Nov 2005, 9:57 AM

Last updated: Thu 2 Apr 2015, 5:18 PM

Announcing the opening of the show that has grown by 25 per cent in exhibitor space, Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President, Department of Civil Aviation, Government of Dubai and Chairman of the Emirates Group, said the Middle East last year led the air passenger traffic growth recording a 24.8 per cent rise while freight traffic for the region was again at an all-time high registering 26.8 per cent growth.

“At the same time, a recent forecast from one of the key airplane makers predicts that the region will acquire more than 1,000 new aircraft, worth some $124 billion in the next 18 years,” he said.

Shaikh Ahmed said the increased space demand has been met by investments in a third exhibition hall — Central Hall — by the Government of Dubai, which has created an additional 10,000 square metres of exhibition space. “This investment underlines the Government's ongoing commitment to this event which clearly demonstrates Dubai's ability to stage world-class industry forums.”

The show will have 726 exhibitors from 46 countries, 15 national pavilions, a newly constructed third exhibition hall, new training and simulation pavilion, an expanded delegations programme featuring civil aviation chiefs, airline presidents, Ministers of Defence, Chiefs of Staff and air force commanders from 88 countries and over 100 aircraft on display - including close to 40 business jets.

Organisers, Fairs & Exhibitions, said they anticipate major sales announcements at the show with Qatar Airways, Hawker Pacific, Bahrain's Bexair and International Lease Finance already hinting purchases will be unveiled.

The show is set for major highlights with the debut of Airbus, which will fly in Emirates colours, the first, new generation Gripen fighter jet, the very latest version of Russia's MiG 29 SMT multifunctional combat aircraft, Agusta Westland's EH101 helicopter and the Korean T-50 Golden Eagle advanced trainer, which will use Dubai 2005 for its international aerospace exhibition debut.

The daily flying display will be alternately opened and closed by the celebrated aerobatics squad Patrouille de France, making its third Dubai air show appearance.

“Of the 15 national pavilions, three are new to the Dubai air show —Austria, Turkey and India, while a total of 130 exhibitors, making up 20 per cent of the profile, are show newcomers with first time participation from Australia, Austria, Korea, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mauritius, the Philippines, Slovak Republic and Oman.

Virginia Kern, Chairman, F&E said the show's growth was also due to the acknowledgement of the global industry that this region, which has seen existing carriers expand their fleets and new carriers enter the market, and where civil aviation infrastructure and investment is now literally running into billions of dollars, is perhaps the most influential in the industry.

Dubai 2005 will also feature, for the first time, a pavilion dedicated to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVS) being organised by the Washington-based Association For Unmanned Systems International, the leading group in the UAV industry.

The Dubai 2005 delegations programme has been expanded once again taking into account requests from exhibitors.