Dubai Airshow 2009 venue preparations in full flight

Speaking on the sidelines of Farnborough International Airshow, F&E Aerospace, the Dubai Airshow organisers, revealed plans are well underway for the next outing of the biennial showcase - widely revered as the fastest growing aviation show in the world's fastest growing aerospace region.

With over half of the total 43,820 square metres of exhibition space already contracted for next year's Dubai Airshow, organisers are confident that the majority of the remaining area will be reserved during this week at Farnborough.

'The new venue and the move will allow us to significantly expand the facilities available to exhibitors and visitors, and will drive further growth as the Dubai Airshow continues to be an industry firm favourite,' said Alison Weller, Director - F&E Aerospace - organisers of a wide catalogue of aviation exhibitions including the Middle East Business Aviation (MEBA) event, running this November in Dubai.

'We are already well on our way in terms of space bookings for 2009 and expect to significantly build on this during Farnborough, putting us in an extremely strong position going into the last half of the year.'

And according to the organisers, the upcoming Dubai Airshow, taking place from 15th - 19th November 2009, will also see expansion across all areas from facilities to floor space to aircraft on display.

The new Dubai Airshow site will cover 425,000 square metres - double the size of its former venue at Airport Expo Dubai - and will be housed in a semi-permanent structure for its first outing before moving to a permanent facility for 2011.

'The 2009 site, although a semi-permanent structure, will boast some of the most modern facilities seen anywhere. We have everything we've had in previous years plus more. In addition, the reception building and support facilities is expected to double in size to cope with the increased number of trade visitors and we have also swelled the number of restaurants and press facilities. We also have a dedicated flying control centre onsite,' said Weller.

F&E Aerospace has expanded the chalet line for 2009 to 140 - with over 50% of these already being booked. The chalets will also be enlarged to offer more space and flexibility for exhibitors.

Car parking facilities will be significantly increased with space for more than 4,000 cars available, rising to 7,000 for subsequent events. Another major plus for the event will be that from 2012, the site will be linked to the Dubai Metro - the emirate-wide mass transport system which is currently under construction.

'The Dubai Airshow is no longer a regional show but a world-class, internationally-recognised aviation forum which impacts the global aerospace landscape. This comes as no surprise, due to Dubai's global recognition as a world class trade, business and tourism destination that has broken all conventional boundaries of excellence,'

added Weller.

Dubai Airshow 2007 boasted 850 exhibitors and 11 national pavilions representing 50 countries - 130 of these being new to the region. 45,420 visitors attended over the five days - 10,000 more than in 2005 - and over 140 aircraft were displayed on the static park, which has given the organisers a considerable platform to work from for the 2009 outing.

In addition, the show also saw over $150bn worth of orders placed during its five days and now holds the record for the largest amount of deals ever concluded at one event.

The Dubai Airshow has benefited from the ongoing commitment of the Dubai Government and Department of Civil Aviation with both His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai and His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Department of Civil Aviation, taking a keen personal interest in its development.

F&E Aerospace is exhibiting at the Farnborough International Airshow in Hall 1, stand C2. A team is on hand to take space reservations or provide additional information on the venue.