India raises sales pitch in aviation at Dubai show
Dubai, Nov 9 (UNI) India is among the 11 countries having national pavilions at the five day Dubai Airshow 2007 beginning here on November 11.
''With 11 national pavilions, 91 chalets and 15 outdoor pavilions - up from five in 2005 - it is truly a house-full scenario, National pavilions at the show will represent India, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Jordan, the Netherlands, Sweden, the Ukraine, UK and USA,'' informed the organisers.
With 850 exhibitors from 50 countries - a 40% increase on 2005 participation - and covering more than 35,000 square metres, with more than 140 aircraft on display, Dubai Airshow 2007, which runs from November 11-15, has resoundingly stamped its authority on the international aviation arena and secured its mantle as the world's third largest global aerospace event after Le Bourget in Paris and Farnborough in the UK.
The 10th edition of the Dubai Airshow, which is completely sold out, has smashed all the international event's previous records of size, exhibitor and aircraft numbers and aircraft displayed.
''The scale of growth in the show over the past two years, which amounts to some 40% in booked floor space, reflects the massive growth the Middle East's aviation industry is experiencing across all segments,'' said Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) and Chairman of Dubai Airports.
''Regional carriers are expanding fleets and networks, there is huge investment in the region's aviation infrastructure, the aviation service sector is attracting a considerable influx in Foreign Direct Investment(FDI) and the training and development of the industry's regional talent pool is moving forward at a brisk pace.
Once again the Dubai Airshow is proving to be a barometer of West Asia aviation growth and with this year's event being the largest in the event's 18 year history there is a clear signal that the global aerospace industry is now prioritising activities in this region.
Fairs&Exhibitions (F&E), which organises the show in collaboration with Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Dubai Airports and the UAE Armed Forces, has managed to accommodate growth despite space restrictions at Airport Expo Dubai.
''This year we have some 130 newcomers from 24 countries,'' pointed out Alison Weller, Director - Aerospace, F&E.
This year's show has also first-time representation from five countries - the Cayman Islands, the Philippines, Ethiopia, Afghanistan and Luxembourg.
The next Dubai Airshow in 2009 is likely to take place at a new venue specially being built at Dubai World Central in Jebel Ali, 30 kilometres north of Dubai city centre.
UNI