Dubai, This year’s Dubai Airshow has heralded a resurgence in the aerospace industry, with numbers up and an order book of US$63.3 billion, more than four times larger than the previous event in 2009 (US$14 billion in orders).The final statistics for Dubai Airshow 2011
- Total Trade Visitors: 56,548 (+7%)
- Total Exhibitors - From 50 Countries: 960 (+8%)
- Total Delegations: 194 with 534 Representatives
- Total Royal Parties: 46
- Total Media: 1452 (+5%)
- Total Countries: 122
- Total Square Metres: 325,513
- Total Chalets: 103
- Aircraft on Static Display: 125
- Aircraft in Flying Display: 27
- Futures Day Students: 4,000
- Total Order Book: $63.3 Billion
This was the last Dubai Airshow at the Airport Expo as it handed over its reigns to Dubai World Central for the next show in 2013. For five days, Dubai held the attention worldwide, and did not disappoint - 960 exhibitors up by 8% on 2009, 56,548 visitors up by 7% on 2009 and more than 120 aircraft, making the 12th edition the biggest as well as the most colourful yet, as the halls, pavilions and chalets displayed the colours of the UAE national flag in celebration of the nation’s 40th year anniversary of founding of the UAE, two weeks later on 2 December.
The Dubai Airshow 2011 witnessed some spectacular highlights, making it a royal occasion as HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and His Majesty King Juan Carlos of Spain officially opened the ceremony.
The Middle East showcased some of the key aircraft in the industry with the debut of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, also for the first time the Airshow welcomed the Bell/Boeing V-22 Osprey and Bombardier C-Series cabin mock up, while visitors relished the international debut of Chinese MA-600 from Xian Aircraft Industries.
Of all the orders at this year’s show two were particularly significant – firstly, Boeing signed an order with Emirates Airline for 50 Boeing 777-300ER (Extended Range) aircraft, plus options for an additional 20, which, with a value of US$26 billion, makes it the single largest commercial aircraft order in Boeing’s 95 year history, in dollar value. Secondly, after an earlier dispute regarding a pending contract with Airbus, Boeing clinched a deal with Qatar Airways for two Boeing 777 freighters, valued at US$560 million at list price.
The Gulf Aviation Training Event (GATE) took place on 14 – 15 November 2011 and saw the collation of the first ever GATE Memorandum, which identified four main areas of concern over the current and future training of Gulf-based pilots. They include the quality of ‘outsourcing’; maintenance of high-quality training standards of both incoming pilot candidates as well as existing pilots; the use of ‘evidence-based’ training methods; and regular and careful industry reviews.
On the final day, the Dubai Airshow hosted the first-ever ‘Futures Day’ – an event aimed at the future aviation professionals of the UAE. This initiative proved to be very successful as over 4,000 senior-level students from key UAE colleges and universities attended.
As part of UAE’s 40th Anniversary celebrations the country’s aerobatic display team – Al Fursan, flying Aermacchis – closed this years 12th edition Airshow with an aerial display of a fly-past, accompanied by an Emirates Boeing 777 aircraft, whilst proudly trailing the colours of the UAE national flag to the delight of the crowd.
HH General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces mentioned: “The Dubai Airshow has grown in terms of advancement and number of major world exhibitors, visitors or deals. This reflects the significance of the Dubai Airshow as a major exemplary launchpad for manufacturers to showcase their various products to the countries in the region and meet the market requirements.”
Alison Weller, Managing Director of airshow organiser F&E Aerospace, said: “The 2011 Dubai Airshow proved to be the best in our 22 year history. Reactions from exhibitors, visitors and the Dubai government have been outstanding. The end of this 12th edition of the Dubai Airshow also marks the conclusion of our relationship with the Airport Expo which will close to make way for the expansion of the Dubai International Airport, and we are now making bold plans to stage the next Dubai Airshow at Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International Airport in 2013.”
The Dubai Airshow is organised under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and in co-operation with Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Dubai Airports and the UAE Armed Forces.