Dubai Helishow 2008 lines up a series of new attractions for the Region's Helicopter Industry

This one-of-its-kind trade show for the helicopter industry is scheduled to take place from 11th to 13th November 2008 at the East Hall, Airport Expo, Dubai, UAE.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, the exclusive show is hosted by Mediac Communications & Exhibitions LLC.

The show will feature exhibitors from around the world who will showcase their products and services through indoor exhibits, static craft displays, and flight demonstrations. Senior level buyers and business visitors from various sectors like Academia, Armed Forces, Commercial Operators, Defense, Emergency Services, Government Agencies, Maintainers and Private Buyers are expected to show keen interest in this year's show.

Some of the Key Exhibitors at this year's show include: AgustaWestland - Italy Aviator & Aviation - UAE, Boeing - USA, Emirates-CAE Flight Training - UAE, Enstrom Helicopter - USA, Eurocopter - France, Falcon Aviation - UAE, G&C International - representative of Robinson Helicopters in the Middle East, Hawker Pacific Air Services - representative of Bell Helicopter in the Middle East, Horizon International Training Academy - UAE, MD Helicopters - USA, Russian Pavilion - Kazan, Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant, Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant, Sikorsky Helicopters - USA to mention a few.

The popularity and success of the earlier editions of Dubai Helishow, has attracted a growing number of new participants for this year's show. They include: Aerolite Max Bucher AG - Switzerland, Avicorp - Middle East, Bayards Aluminium Constructies BV - The Netherlands, Bristow Helicopters - UK, Bristow Academy - USA, GENA Systems - Austria, Goodrich Sensors & Integrated Systems - USA, Honeywell - USA, Industria de Turbo Propulsores - Spain, Onboard Systems - USA, Pall Corporation - France, RFD Beaufort, Northern Ireland, Simplex Manufacturing Company - USA and Tulsa Turbine Engines & Aircraft - USA.

A significant development in this year's Dubai Helishow is the launch of the Dubai Air Medical & Rescue Show 2008 - a specialist exhibition which focuses on air ambulance, air rescue, air evacuation and other medical transport services and will be held alongside Dubai Helishow 2008.

Besides Dubai Air Medical & Rescue Show 2008, Mediac will also introduce the first-ever helicopter association in the region - Middle East Helicopter Association (MEHA). MEHA is all set to be a platform which will focus on the development of a highly professional and safety conscious industry and will promote heliport development, operational efficiency and economic viability in the region.

Additionally, Helicopter Association International, USA (HAI) a professional trade association of 2,750 plus members worldwide will be conducting a comprehensive educational program offering courses on such topics as safety, maintenance, economics among others during the Dubai Helishow 2008.

Dubai Helishow's significance is on the rise, considering the fact that the UAE's response to the helicopter technology and investment interest has been over-whelming over the last few years. In fact, Dubai is well placed to service the demand from the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Russia, India and Asia. Industry insiders point out that local investment community showed considerable interest in setting up a joint venture development to manufacture helicopters using the latest technology from leading global players.

Interest in aviation related investments is extremely high at present. The new Dubai airport facility is expected to handle 120 million passengers and over 12 million tons of cargo each year. The targeted annual movements of the new upcoming "Dubai World Central International Airport" are most impressive for light aviation which will see 60,000 aircrafts, the executive jet sector will have 40,000 new additions and the helicopter sector will witness the addition of 35,000 helicopters.

Air taxi is a new business for helicopter charter companies in the UAE, which traditionally served the oil and gas industry with its long travel times between sites and offshore work, in addition to search and rescue operations.
Indeed, as recently as five years ago, charter companies were booking just a few hours a month of helicopter travel, but now the country is emerging as one the fastest growing markets in the world as a lot of the growth is being driven by the need to ferry executives, owners, and potential investors to the Palm and World islands.

Yet another use of helicopters is to use sky banners to target UAE advertisers and event promoters. The UAE has a significant outdoor advertising market, predominated by super-size billboards that can cost advertisers up to US$1million a year, for just one site. Innovative and mobile flying banners are slated to have better impact and visibility as they cover a wider geographical area which makes it appealing to the advertisers and event promoters, at a lesser cost than static billboard displays.

Pleased with the response Dubai Helishow 2008 has received until now from the exhibitors and the industry experts, Ms. Maysoon A. Abulhoul, Managing Director, Mediac Communications & Exhibitions LLC commented:

"Dubai Helishow 2004 and 2006 were significant successes and have laid a solid foundation for this year's edition. It's quite a significant achievement that in such a short time the exhibition has grown in its stature as an international exhibition and has established itself as a benchmark for one of the region's fastest growing industry. I am sure this year's show will be of a greater importance with the launch of Dubai Air Medical & Rescue Show and Middle East Helicopter Association (MEHA)."