Dubai Helishow 2008 - all set to make a great impact in the entire Middle East

The show hosted by Mediac Communications & Exhibitions LLC, will be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE, and Ruler of Dubai. Celebrated as the only one of its kind event for the helicopter industry in the entire Middle East region, Dubai Helishow will happen from 10th to 13th November 2008 at East Hall, Airport Expo, Dubai, UAE.

Focusing on the international civil & military helicopter technology & operations, Dubai Helishow targets visitors and delegations from the Middle East, Arabian Gulf, Europe and Asia. The show will see senior level buyers and business visitors from various sectors like Academia, Armed Forces, Commercial Operators, Defense, Emergency Services, Government Agencies, Maintainers and Private Buyers.

The show will exhibit the latest and the best in the helicopter industry through indoor exhibits, static craft display, and flight demonstrations.

The last edition of the Dubai Helishow held in 2006 drew an audience of 3,013 from 37 countries including delegations from the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries with the intention to view the latest equipment, services and products launched in the helicopter industry. The show was officially opened by H.H. Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President, Department of Civil Aviation, Government of Dubai, Chairman & CEO Emirates Group. H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Khalif Al Nahyan, Member Executive Council and H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Civail Aviation were present at the opening ceremony. Among the main highlights of the show was the visit of Prince Turkey bin Abdulla Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, who later toured the show and took part in a flight demonstration.

The maiden show, which was held in 2004, was an instant success with the world media giving it wide coverage. During the event more than 2,500 industry visitors from around 20 different regions including global manufacturers visited the show. The event was organized under the patronage of H.H. General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE (he was then the Crown Prince of Dubai and the Defense Minister of the United Arab Emirates).

With a heritage of organizing successful and specialized exhibitions for diverse sectors, Mediac Communications & Exhibitions LLC - the organizer of the Dubai Helishow, is making elaborate and extensive preparations. This year, the number of visitors is expected to be much higher compared to the previous two shows.

Along side the event, there will be a special one-day conference to be organized by Tangent Link. The conference will be designed to address the specific issues of the Middle East with speakers drawn from the international helicopter sector. The conference is expected to benefit the helicopter industry as well as the region as a whole since it will produce opinions and suggestions from experts on a variety of topics. Meanwhile, the exhibition will also provide a unique opportunity for delegates to see for themselves the latest products, technologies and services on offer.

UAE - A flourishing market
The Middle East is emerging as one of the fastest growing markets for helicopters. Its enormous tourism potential is one of the major reasons besides the continued interest shown in the industry by the Sheikhs and Ruling families of this affluent region. Tourism experts recommend a heli-tour for visitors to the UAE as they feel key sightseeing locations like 'The World Islands', 'Palm Jumeirah', Sheikh Zayed Road, and 'The Burj Al Arab' must be seen from the air to be appreciated. HeliDubai, Aerogulf and Falcon Aviation Services (FAS) among other UAE-based companies who are keen to enter the virgin helicopter charter market.

FAS has signed a partnership with Alpha Tours for a new luxury helicopter service for the tourism and corporate markets in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Besides tourism, VIP heli-transfers between the emirates are gaining importance with the increasing traffic problems on the UAE roads. More and more companies are taking interest in choosing helicopters for VIP transfers. Meanwhile, UAE's police and defense sectors are investing more in the industry for their rescue operations and surveillance.

Here are some of the major achievements in the UAE's helicopter industry:
The Central Air Command, which forms Dubai Air Force, operates three airbases spread across the west coast. From Minhad Air Force Base, the Helicopter Squadron operates a variety of helicopters and Fighter Squadron operates Hawk T61s. Dubai International Airport is the base for most of the transport operations. It has a pair of stretched Hercules, two Pilatus PC-6/B2-H4 Porters, a SC-7M Skyvan, a Shorts SD330 Sherpa and Bell 206 helicopters. The local Air Academy operates Agusta Bell 206s and Aermacchi MB339s for the transport service. A review of this years' activities show that the air wing department carried out 715 air missions during the first half of this year, 116 as road monitoring patrolling, 12 as carrying patients to the hospital and 67 official missions.

Currently the largest commercial helicopter operator in the Middle East, Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA) operates 47 helicopters (9 Augusta Westland AW139, 15 Bell 412, 19 Bell 212 and 4 Bell 206) and employs over 748 personnel. Its main business activity is in supporting the Abu Dhabi Offshore Oil and Engineering / Construction companies along with medical evacuation, survey, photography and charters. Additionally, ADA carries out all crops spraying in the UAE and most aerial spraying in the Sultanate of Oman. It relocated its operation base from Bateen Airport to a greatly improved and much larger purpose-built facility at the Abu Dhabi International Airport.

UAE Army is reported to become an evolving military market that is opening new strategic partnership opportunities. The UAE has even outpaced Saudi Arabia, which was traditionally the Middle East's largest military market. The UAE military market is geared with its 388 Leclerc main battle tanks, 30 AH-64A attack helicopters, 12 Project Ghannatha amphibious troop transports, 30 Mirage 2000-9 tactical fighters, and 80 F-16E/F tactical fighters.

By May 2008, UAE Air Force will start receiving its 30 Apaches that are being upgraded to AH-64D Longbow standard. The Apache is a twin-engine army attack helicopter developed by McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing). UAE Air Force is armed with 25 IAR 330 Puma that are recently upgraded to SM version by IAR Ghimbav, one SA342 Gazelle, seven Eurocopter Panther, Eurocopter Ecureuil, Bell 206, two Agusta Bell 206A and one Agusta Westland AW139.

Emirates-CAE Flight Training (ECFT) has signed a deal with Abu Dhabi Police Air Wing for Bell 412 helicopter training. Successfully positioning itself as the centre of aviation training in the Middle East, Emirates-CAE Flight Training (ECFT) has recently signed agreements with Dubai Air Wing and Elite Jets for type training on full-flight simulators at its Dubai-based facility.

Falcon Aviation Services (FAS) of Abu Dhabi, the expanding VIP helicopter charter and maintenance Company, has recently enlarged its fleet with orders for two EC130 and two AS365 N3 Eurocopter helicopters. Eurocopter, the number one helicopter manufacturer in the world, has signed an agreement with FAS in May 2007 for Helicopter Maintenance Service in the region in order to enhance the support provided to local and regional customers in their daily operations. Around 650 Eurocopter helicopters are in service in the Arabian Gulf region. Currently the FAS Military Support Operations provide 24/7/365 Search and Rescue (SAR) service to the UAE Armed Forces with a modern fleet of four helicopters. An investment of over USD$69 million, consists of 8 helicopters with 1 new Gulfstream 450 corporate jet are all set for delivery in 2008.

Excited about the success of the last two editions of Dubai Helishow, Mr. Abdulla A. Abulhoul, Managing Director, Mediac Communications & Exhibitions LLC said, 'It is a great news for the Dubai Helishow 2008, that UAE is emerging as the fastest growing market for helicopters in the entire Middle East. When we launched the Dubai Helishow in 2004, it was the first of it kind in the region, and it received an immense response. We really feel proud that Dubai Helishow, which has entered its third edition is playing a crucial role in the region, and has achieved more than what we expected. Though catering to a small industry, this specialized exhibition has helped the big fishes to see the immense market possibilities which UAE is offering with its world-class 'The Palm & The World' projects, booming real estate business, and its growing military needs. Let me thank each and everyone who is working behind this exhibition at Mediac and each of our sponsors.'