Over 140 aircraft from across the globe will be on display at the 10th edition of the Dubai Airshow, which runs from the 11-15th November at the Airport Expo Dubai, including a host of new-to-market models ranging from strike fighters to trainers, from VIP business jets to heavy cargo carriers.
This year’s static display will boast its largest ever aircraft showing including regional debuts from, the Cirrus SR22 G3 – the world’s fastest-selling, single-engined four-seater aircraft; the Eclipse 500, the forerunner in the Very Light Jet (VLJ) market and the quietest jet in history; the Dassault Falcon 7X, which is the original ‘fly-by-wire’ long range business jet claiming to be the "first aircraft to be designed entirely on a virtual platform", and the Sino Swearingen SJ30, the world's fastest longest range light jet.
The Russian MIG 29 multi-role fighter aircraft and the block 60 Lockheed Martin F-16, one of the most popular attack aircraft in its class, 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.
And to celebrate the Dubai Airshow’s 10th Anniversary, which expects up to 40,000 visitors, 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, which is making its Arabian Gulf debut in the Casa C-101 Aviojet.
“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. It includes some of the world’s most advanced, state-of-the-art aircraft, many of which are touching down here for the very first time,” 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.”
Helicopters also feature heavily in the 2007 showing with the MD 902 Helicopter making its regional exhibition debut. Boasting state-of-the-art patented “NOTAR” (No Tail Rotor) technology, which increases passenger and bystander safety, reduces pilot workload and lowers external noise levels, the MD is a sought after model for EMS services throughout the region, especially as it is well equipped to deal with the Middle East’s high temperatures.
And joining military heavyweights MiG and the F-16, is the USAF’s legendary fighter, the F-117A Nighthawk Stealth Fighter attack, the world's first operational stealth aircraft, as well as Abu Dhabi-based Adcom Military Industries, which is displaying its Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Yabhon range including the new jet-powered, high-speed diving target drone, designated the ‘Yabhon HMD’.
The 2007 showing of the Dubai Airshow will boast up to 900 exhibitors from 50 countries and cover a massive 35,000 square metres of hall space with a further 90 chalet units.
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.
Amongst those lining up for the Dubai Airshow for the first time are: the UAE’s own Mubadala Aerospace Division and Falcon Aviation, which supplies point-to-point air services with its helicopter and jet fleet; a string of exhibitors from the USA including Cirrus, which designs, manufactures and markets general aviation composite aircraft; Switzerland’s Grob Aerospace, one of the world’s largest and most experienced composite aircraft manufacturers; Germany’s Henkel Aerospace, which makes aerospace structural adhesives; Russia’s International Association of Space Activities and Sweden’s Volvo Aero, which makes hi-tech components for aircraft rocket engines.
Dubai Aerospace Enterprise, the global aerospace manufacturing and services corporation headquartered in the emirate, is to also make its debut for 2007 as the event’s first-ever host-sposor. The move is a clear indication of Dubai’s growing importance on the global aerospace stage and the Dubai Airshow’s role of attracting world-class companies.
The show will feature 11 country pavilions and first-time representation from the Cayman Islands, which will see its government registry take part; Afghanistan, represented by Safi Airways; Luxembourg by maintenance service provider CAE Aviation, the Philippines with Beechcraft spares stockist Aerospace Products International and Ethiopia which will be represented by its national carrier.
The Dubai Airshow is open to industry-linked visitors only. Visitor tickets are available from the box office at Airport Expo Dubai.
© 2007 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
