Dubai’s Air Show 2007 at Airport Expo Dubai from Nov. 11-15 collected more than 45,000 industry-related visitors from over 131 countries in a largest-ever showing that eclipsed the 2005 event (the show is biennial) by 30 percent. The show saw record numbers for exhibitors (850) and display aircraft (140); on-site orders exceed $100 billion, one of which for Aerion’s yet-to-be-built 1.6 Mach supersonic business jet. As a reflection of the booming Middle East civil aviation sector, the visitor breakdown proved high for airline executives. Emirates Airlines placed orders totaling nearly $35 billion (much of it for Airbus and Boeing aircraft) on the first day of the show. But manufacturers of smaller aircraft like Cessna cashed in with $190 million in sales to a Saudi private jet operator. Embraer sold $45 million worth of equipment to Abu Dhabi’s Falcon Aviation Services. And Eclipse sold 12 of its Eclipse 500 aircraft to Dubai Aerospace Enterprise Flight Academy. The event will be held at a different location in 2009. Looking toward the future, the Dubai Air Show will move to Dubai World Central aviation community in Jebel Ali, outside of Dubai City where it will run from Nov. 15-19, 2009. Organizers will seek to accommodate those who rushed to secure positions for the 2009 event, many requesting increased show space. One company has already reserved more than 800 square meters.
Dubai Air Show By The Numbers — Bubble, Shmubble
Key Takeaways:
- The Dubai Air Show 2007 was the largest ever, attracting over 45,000 visitors from 131 countries and featuring record numbers of exhibitors and display aircraft.
- On-site orders surpassed $100 billion, reflecting a booming Middle East civil aviation sector, with major deals from Emirates Airlines ($35 billion) and significant sales for manufacturers like Cessna, Embraer, and Eclipse.
- Due to its immense success and high demand, the biennial event will relocate to a larger facility at Dubai World Central for the 2009 show to accommodate future growth.
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