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10th Dubai Airshow breaks on-site order book on day one
Posted: 11-11-2007 , 13:49 GMT
The 10th edition of the Dubai Airshow – the largest of which opened at the Airport Expo Dubai, United Arab Emirates today – smashed all its previous declared on-site order books within the first five hours of the event.
The history-making news was made by Emirates, the international airline of the United Arab Emirates, which placed orders and options worth over US $34.9 billion – beating the total for the whole of 2005 event by US $13.6 billion and were quickly added to by Cessna sales worth US $190 million in total and a US $145 million deal clinched by Brazilian plane-maker Embraer with an order from Abu Dhabi’s Falcon Aviation Services.
The orders – which again created civil aviation history – were for 120 Airbus A350s, 11 A380s and 12 Boeing 777-300ERs – with Emirates now set to become the world’s largest 777 operator in the next few years.
After signing the contracts with the two airframe rivals, Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the Chairman of the Emirates Group also went on to ink agreements with Rolls Royce for the Trent XWB engines to power Emirates’ new A350s and with GE Aviation for GE90 engines to power the airline’s 777-300ERs.
Just hours later Cessna announced an order from Saudi Arabia’s Wallan Aviation, worth more than US $110 million for 11 Citation business jets and 14 single engine aircraft and another order valued at more than US $80 million for five Citation Sovereign aircraft from Egyptian business jet charter operator Smart Aviation.
Embraer meanwhile was celebrating its Abu Dhabi order for eight executive jets – four Phenom 300s, three Legacy 600s and one Lineage 1000 aircraft. “This is a fantastic start to the largest-ever Dubai Airshow,” said Virginia Kern, Chairman, Fairs & Exhibitions (F&E), which organises the event in conjunction with the Department of Civil Aviation, Government of Dubai and in collaboration with the UAE Armed Forces.
“Speculation was high that this show could raise the B2B benchmark yet again – and it is a brilliant way to celebrate our 10th show.”
Dubai Airshow 2007, which runs until Thursday night (November 15), was officially opened by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. Flanked by Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qassimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, and Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoun, Chairman of Emirates Group and Dubai Airports, the royal entourage was taken on a tour of the static park where over 140 aircraft on display by Virginia Kern, Chairman of Airshow organizers, Fairs & Exhibitions (F&E).
Greeted by Airbus executives, the royal entourage was joined by a Saudi Arabian delegation, spending more than five minutes inspecting the largest aircraft at the show, and the new mainstay of the Emirates fleet, the Airbus A380.
Most military aircraft in this year’s show are grouped on the western tarmac this year and the first flight deck crew greeted by Dubai’s Ruler were Daniel Bense & Jason Wells, standing at ease beside their Northropp Grumann, E2-C Hawkeye. Fresh from the deck of the USS Enterprise, Sheikh Mohammad asked both if it was their first visit to Dubai. Bense replied, “No sir, our third.” With a warm welcome, Sheikh Mohammad said, “I hope you enjoy your stay”.
Dwarfing the E2C, the E3B crew led by Lieutenant Colonel “Ukey”, also met Sheikh Mohammad who quizzed them on their daily activities and how the aircraft handles. Ukey later explained, “He told us he used to be a fighter pilot and I can say that he really knows his stuff”.
The most noticeable enhancement of the tenth Dubai Air Show is the extension pavilions on the static park – a visible testament to the largest event in the biennial series which boasts 850 exhibitors from 50 countries.
Sheikh Mohammad led the entourage around the big jets and straight to the Korean made T50 Golden Eagle fighter trainer. Greeted by Korean Ambassador His Excellency Joon Jae Lee, Sheikh Mohammed told him: “It is a very nice aircraft and I wish you all the success with your visit here”.
The nearby MIG29 Russian fighter was of interest as well, a model of the aircraft presented to the entourage.
The final aircraft to be inspected on static display was Dubai Aerospace Enterprise Flight Academy’s own Cirrus 3 trainer aircraft. Captain Richard Morris, Head of Training & Program Manager of DAE Flight Academy was asked why the academy had selected the 22S3.
“The technical capabilities, manoeuvrability, and safety components are what made this aircraft ideal for our academy and the local characteristics of the region,” Morris said.
Joining the official entourage as they moved to the indoor pavilions, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed al Nahyan, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs was at the front of a now 100 strong entourage. Very short stops were made to meet and greet at Joramco, International Aviation Supply and then at aircraft manufacturer Embraer, where Luis Carlos Alfonso, Executive Vice President of Executive Jets was wished good luck. “Sheikh Mohammad said he was glad to see us here”, Alfonso added.
As they moved into a zone dominated by US military giants, the US Ambassador to the UAE, Michele Sison led Sheikh Mohammad and the official party through the Raytheon and Northrop Grumman exhibits.
The makers of DAE’s Cirrus 3 trainers caught Sheikh Mohammad’s eye, where he quizzed John Gauch, VP Sales, on their new jet. “We explained about our new jet, and gave him some technical specs. He wanted to know why there was a parachute positioned over the plane. We said the parachute comes as a standard extra.”
Through Space Imaging Middle East, Dubai Airport Free Zone and Jetex, the next stop was made for an official presentation from the Al Jundi magazine. A framed copy of the first edition (34 years ago) was presented by Editor in Chief, Brigadier Mohammed Ali Abdullah Al Eassa who later confirmed, “He said it would look good on the wall of his office and thanked for me the gift”.
With the announcement of the Emirates contract for wide bodied aircraft less than a half an hour away, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al Maktoun, Chairman of Emirates Group and Chairman of Dubai Airports, toured the business class cabin mock-up of Boeing’s yet to fly 787.
The highlight of the tour -was an unnamed, unbranded, all white stand. As Sheikh Mohammad stepped up on a dais, a multimedia presentation was launched, and the new name, brand and logo for Dubai Airports was unveiled. Comprising Dubai’s two airports, Dubai International and the recently renamed Al Maktoum International, currently under construction as part of Dubai World Central, the new look brand aims to manage the worlds largest airports and connect the world.
Anita Mehra Homayoun, VP Marketing and Corporate Communications, Dubai Airports, and Paul Griffiths, CEO asked Sheikh Mohammad to sign a copy of the new book “Flight into the Future” – a history of aviation in the UAE looking back 70 years. A second book was presented, “A Star is Born”, which tells the story of the new airport.
On the EADS stand, Louis Gallois was asked, “Which do you think is the better aircraft – the 787 or the A350?” Gallois replied, “The A350 without a doubt”. Sheikh Mohammad said, “I thought you might say that. I am not surprised!”
Short visits to Finnmechanica, MBDA missile defence, Robinson Helicopters and the new Abu Dhabi powerhouse, Mubadala, where Sheikh Mohammad told Homaid Al Shalman, “Mubadala is a nice name for a company”.
Via BAE Systems, then across to French group Sagem, where Jean Claude Pignot was asked about their revolutionary munition guidance missile system and UAV.
At TERMA Terma Director of Sales Ole Fogh explained they are a sub contractor for Lockheed and create protection systems for the F16. At the Chinese CATIC display, Yang Ying, Vice President proudly announced, “This is our 7th Dubai Air Show, this market is very important for us.” Sheikh Mohammad said, “The plane looks very fine and I like your stand.”
At the SAAB display, Major General Jan Andersson of the Swedish Air Force greeted Dubai’s Ruler, who told him, “We know Saab very well”. Andersson praised the excellent relationships between the UAE and Swedish air forces.
Dubai World Central built perhaps the largest single pavilion at the show where the entourage spend 15 minutes being briefed looking at the latest models of the gigantic development.
As the entourage moved back to the Royal Pavilion, F&E’s David Slaymaker, presented a crystal plaque with all ten shows marked.
Dubai Airshow 2007 features 11 national pavilions, first time representation from the Cayman Islands, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Afghanistan and Luxembourg. “It’s just been a fantastic performance all round,” said Alison Weller, Director Aerospace Division, F&E. “This show has again emphasised its international positioning as a truly global B2B forum in a region which is now a key focus of the global aerospace industry.”
The Dubai Airshow 2007 continues at the Airport Expo Dubai and is open to industry visitors only.
© 2007 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
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