This year’s Dubai International Airshow is building up to be bigger and busier than ever with over 1,000 exhibitors from around the world expected along with 60,000 trade visitors and 1,500 international and regional media

Dubai has a penchant to do everything on a scale with an ‘awe factor’. The tallest building in the world—the Burj Khalifa is in Dubai. The Palm Islands are something out of the world. Adding to the ‘awe’ list is the Dubai World Central, which among other projects houses the Al Maktoum International Airport which when fully operational will be the world’s largest passenger and cargo hub. This year the Dubai International Airshow which is also growing in size and stature will take place at Dubai World Central—a new home for a new era—from November 17-21, 2013. This year’s show is building up to be bigger and busier than ever with over 1,000 exhibitors from around the world expected along with 60,000 trade visitors and up to 1,500 international and regional media.

Region rallies behind show

Nearly 250 UAE-based companies will be participating in the show, an increase of over 21 per cent from the previous edition. Companies such as Saudi Aerospace, Alpha Star from Saudi Arabia and Franke Care Systems from Qatar. In addition, many local exhibitors such as Tawazan, UAE, Global Aerospace Logistics (GAL), UAE and Airfreight Aviation Limited (AAL) from UAE have increased their exhibition area to optimise their presence at the show.

Following this trend, UAE exhibitors are the number one origin represented at the show, Saudi Arabia second, followed by the USA, UK and France. In line with the growth of the Dubai Airshow, international participants such as Canadian exhibitors have increased to 23 companies, reflecting a huge 100 per cent growth; USA exhibitors up to 145 companies, an increase of ten per cent and China with 15 new companies also witnessing a growth of ten per cent. That speaks for itself on Dubai’s preeminent position in the aviation sector and how the aviation community in the region is rallying behind the show.

Purpose-built site

Organised by F&E Aerospace, the Dubai Airshow will be held biannually at the purpose-built Dubai World Central site which has a larger static park for aircraft display (about 150 including 50 business jets), improved parking and catering facilities, besides the entire modern wherewithal to host a show of mammoth scale. The Dubai Airshow is organised under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in cooperation with Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Dubai Airports and the UAE armed forces.

“The site provides greater than ever accessibility for all involved in the show being easy to get to from Dubai’s main highways and from all other emirates,” said Sharief Fahmy, CEO, F&E Aerospace. “The venue is also very accessible as it is just about 30 minutes’ drive from most key locations in Dubai and 40 minutes from Abu Dhabi International Airport—thus making it truly central between both cities.” With over 5,300 parking spaces—three times that of the previous Dubai Airport Expo site as well as a park and ride option from Ibn Battuta metro station and numerous hotels, traffic management should therefore prove extremely smooth.

“The Dubai Government’s investment in the site is a clear demonstration of its belief in the future of this show and its commitment to delivering world-class events which consistently raise the bar. “The busy flying schedules of Dubai International Airport also limited our daily flying display capabilities which have now been significantly freed up,” added Fahmy. The Dubai Airshow will see the return of the UAE’s Al Fursan aerobatics squad along with the Red Arrows from the UK. Also confirmed for the aerial flying display are a first for the Gulf region the military aircraft, A400M, and a first for the Dubai Airshow Boeing’s F/A-18E Super Hornet, among others.

“The aviation growth of Dubai prompted the move and as a result the expanded exhibition space and footprint will now total site spanning 6,45,000 square metres—more than double that of the old site,” explained Fahmy.

Business Aviation gung-ho about show

The organisers are forecasting a great turnout from the business aviation community. Amongst some of the key business aviation exhibitors are: Aurora Aviation, Execujet Middle East, Jetex, Bombardier, Embraer and Royal Jet. The purpose built show site will offer a larger static park where over 50 business aircraft will be on display including family fleets from all the major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) including Gulfstream and Dassault Aviation.

Business aviation continues to play increasingly important role within the Middle East region, helping to sustain current economic activity and drive new developments within the market. As emphasised by the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) – the Middle East’s business aviation market is expected to reach Dh3.67 billion ($1 billion) by 2018, and by 2020, the regional fleet size of registered business jets is expected to cross 1,375. Fahmy shared this positive outlook saying: “The Dubai Airshow brings all aviation-related industries together under one roof; the biennial show prides itself on providing the ideal platform for the business aviation community to come, work together and mutually benefit—this is firmly reflected by the resounding amount of business aviation exhibitors and aircraft taking part.”

Humanitarian angle to the show

While the Dubai Airshow continues to be the region’s leading aerospace event, F&E Aerospace are also focused on developing and bringing new innovations to the show. In addition to the features seen in previous shows, this year the Dubai Airshow is bringing the UN World Food Programme (WFP) and Care by Air together in a new humanitarian pavilion; which in turn will showcase more than 15 charitable organisations, air operators and supporters in order to encourage more key players to join their efforts such as: Rus Aviation, UAE, AgustaWestland from Italy, Med Airways from Lebanon, and Royal Air Maroc from Morocco.

Along with the humanitarian pavilion, the show will host 11 country pavilions from Russia, Ukraine, France, Germany, Turkey, Australia, Canada, Netherlands, UK and USA plus the state of Florida; including new to show country pavilion—Sweden.

The static display will also feature fighter jets and UAV’s plus. There will be a debut of the Sudanese SAFAT 03, a basic fixed-wing trainer along with Italian company Tecnam, which will be bringing two new to show aircraft, the P2002JF and P2006T.

This year’s Dubai Airshow will also see the return of the Middle East’s dedicated training event for the aviation industry, the Gulf Aviation Training Event (GATE), taking place from November 18-19 and Futures Day. This is an initiative that aims to inspire young people to join the aerospace industry in the future, taking place on the final day of the show on November 21.

One thing is for sure, there is no shortage of innovation and dynamism in the region. Boeing’s Current Market Outlook (CMO) 2013-32, predicts that the Middle East is amongst the fastest growing economies projected to grow 3.8 per cent, compounded annually, during the next 20 years.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) too has asserted that air travel in the Middle East is stronger than in most global regions, reporting that in 2013, airlines in the Middle East will make an expected profit of $1.4 billion; making the Middle East one of the most profitable aviation regions in the world.

First-ever Skyview

It is all systems go for F&E Aerospace, the organisers of the first-ever Skyview, a four-day public event being held alongside the Dubai Airshow. Large numbers of visitors are expected to visit Skyview to witness the world’s best pilots dazzle in the sky, and to enjoy the fun-filled activities taking place on the ground. The UAE’s own aerobatic team, Al Fursan, have confirmed their participation in the world-class flying display. Skyview will take place from November 18-21, 2013, between 12 and 6 p.m. at Dubai World Central (DWC), Jebel Ali, Dubai; with the flying display commencing at 2 p.m. daily.

Skyview will feature a purpose-built grand stand with a capacity for 6,000 visitors, located right next to the Dubai Airshow event to allow the public direct views of the spectacular flying action above. On the ground, Skyview will offer exhibits, games and activities to keep both families and aviation enthusiasts enthralled.