The first day of the Dubai Airshow proved to be historic for the aerospace industry with the first aircraft order totalling US$26 billion (Dhs95.4 billion).
The 12th edition of the Dubai Airshowwas officially opened by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai and 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.
Running until Thursday 17 November 2011 at the Airport Expo, the show has been decked out in the UAE national flag colours to celebrate the nation’s 40th anniversary in two weeks’ time on 2 December.
Their Highnesses toured the static aircraft park, accompanied by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid All Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, and His Majesty Juan Carlos of Spain.
Also on the tour were, HH Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi’s Ruler’s Representative in the Eastern Region, HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s Foreign Minister, HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai’s Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Airports and Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the UAE’s Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, in addition to a number of Sheikhs, ministers and senior officials.
The Royal delegation viewed a number of aircraft, including the Boeing C17 of the UAE Armed Forces, the Black Hawk helicopter of the UAE Presidential Guard, the Boeing 737-800 of flydubai and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Jeff Johnson, President Middle East, Boeing, said: “The fact the royal tour had taken time to view the C17 and the 787 Dreamliner shows the great partnership between the UAE and the USA, as well the good relationship that Boeing has with the UAE.
“The UAE has received four C17s this year, providing it with new strategic capabilities in both defence and humanitarian operations and the presence of the C17 and the 787 for the first time in the Middle East reflects the importance of the Dubai Airshow.”
Sheikh Mohammed later led the delegation to view the pavilion dedicated to the first annual Gulf Aviation Training Event (GATE 2011) which is opening on 14 November during the airshow.
Conference Director, Captain Ed Davidson, Senior Air Transport Advisor – International Aviation, Tetra Tech AMT, said: “His Highness Sheikh Mohammed commented that he was very interested in seeing the GATE conference expand over the next several years.”
This year’s Dubai Airshow is the biggest yet, with nearly 55,000 trade visitors expected over the week.
Boeing and Emirates Airline announced an order for 50 Boeing 777-300ER (Extended Range) aircraft, plus options for an additional 20, which, with a value of US$26 billion (Dhs95.4 billion), makes it the single largest commercial aircraft order in Boeing’s 95 year history, in dollar value.
HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, attended the announcement of the order by Emirates Airline Chairman, HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, and Boeing officials.
Sheikh Ahmed said: “With 61 77-300ERs currently in service, this record-breaking dollar value order is another milestone for Emirates and affirms our strategy to expand our long-haul destinations and continue to excel as a world-leading carrier, connecting the world to Dubai and beyond.”
Jim Albaugh, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes said it was an extremely proud moment of the company. “As the largest operator of the 777 in the world, Emirates has played an important role in development of the aircraft and its input over the years has been invaluable.”
Alison Weller, Managing Director of airshow organiser F&E Aerospace, who accompanied Sheikh Mohammed on the tour, said: “The Dubai Airshow has taken on a special significance this year as it is marking the 40th anniversary of the formation of the UAE federation. Today’s aircraft order worth US$26 billion signifies an huge milestone for the show in its 22nd year and we are confident of seeing more significant orders over the next four days!”
As part of the 40th anniversary celebrations, the UAE’s own aerobatic team – Al Fursan – is opening the daily flying display, flying Alenia Aermacchi MB399 aircraft. It is joined by a number of military and commercial aircraft, plus the Patrouille de France aerobatic team, flying Alpha jets.
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.
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