The Dubai Airshow expects to maintain its position as a leading global aerospace event when it returns later this year (November 8-12), with another strong order book expected. In 2013 the biennial show entered a new era by moving to a new purpose-built facility at Al Maktoum International Airport (Dubai World Central). So will it become “the biggest and the best” this year?
“It depends on how you want to measure it,” Michele van Akelijen, managing director of F&E Aerospace, told AIN. “For orders, Dubai Airshow 2007 [won] the record [with an] order book of $155.5 billion, and no other air shows surpassed that until Dubai Airshow 2013, which made history with orders of $206.1 billion.”
“Paris is larger by number of exhibitors, Dubai by number of aircraft on the static display. Dubai Airshow is the place to be as far as getting business is concerned,” she said. Officials expect 1,100 exhibitors from 60 countries to take part this year.
F&E Aerospace is a division of F&E, a member of Tarsus Group, and a long-timer player in the Middle East events business. Van Akelijen took over management of the aerospace portfolio as managing director in 2013.
According to F&E Aerospace, research shows that aviation will contribute $53.1 billion to Dubai’s economy, 37.5 percent to its GDP and the industry will support over 750,000 jobs in 2020. o
“Between 2014 and 2020, the contribution of the aviation sector to Dubai’s economy is expected to grow at a faster rate than the economy as a whole, on the back of strong growth in international passenger traffic and cargo. The sector’s airline and airport capacity continues to expand to accommodate growing demand,” a recent Dubai Airshow press release said.
Van Akelijen said EBACE is an important platform to promote the Dubai Airshow. “Aerospace trade shows and exhibitions have immense networking value,” she said.
“EBACE helps us to meet with our clients and keep up with the latest developments in the business aviation market, which is always highly represented at Dubai Airshow, with exhibitors like Boeing Business Jets, Gulfstream and Dassault some of the many attending.”
Van Akelijen has been to Morocco several times in the past 12 months, helping the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) promote its events and stewardship of North Africa, a growing bizav hub. “Morocco is a new and up-and-coming place for business aviation. They are where Dubai was 10 years ago, and will be the next North African hub. There are several new set-ups there in the aerospace sector, such as Bombardier and Safran.”
The U.S. will also have a strong presence in Dubai this year. “The U.S. pavilion has doubled in size since 2013. It’s a 50-50 split between civil and defence,” she said.