Rotor wing aircraft sector abuzz as Dubai Helishow 2004 down curtains

More than 3000 specialised visitors came to see around 80 regional and global helicopter manufacturers who took part in Dubai Helishow 2004. The show was organised by MEDIAC, a leading trade fairs organiser in the Middle East region, and took place under the Patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister.

Commenting on the impressive run of the maiden edition, Abdulla Abulhoul, Managing Director, MEDIAC said: 'As the region is already becoming one the lead markets for copter technology owing the incredible resilience that we are witnessing in all sectors of the economy in the region. Civil and public sector use of rotor wing craft is on the rise as is the spending in defence and paramilitary sector. Dubai Helishow 2004 could not have come at a more appropriate time, as the high profile and high value clientele were out on a recce to acquire the very latest the sector could offer.'

'Dubai Helishow 2004 has successfully plugged the gap in acquisition and the accessibility to the technology by offering unsurpassed opportunities for the world's leading rotor manufacturers to bring their offering to the high profile clients in the region,' he added.

Dubai Helishow was inaugurated by H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President, Department of Civil Aviation, Government of Dubai and Chairman of Emirates Group. During its four day run, the show bore witness to many high profile visits from dignitaries including, Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Member, Executive Council; H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Chief of Abu Dhabi Civil Aviation; H.R.H Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abd al-Aziz Al-Saud, Secretary General, The Supreme Commission for Tourism (SCT), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Khalid bin Sulayem, Director General of Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM).

In addition, high-powered delegations from all over the GCC countries and particularly from Saudi Arabia and the UAE, visited various exhibitors in the show, expressing latent interest in acquiring copter technology for the growing sectors of civil aviation, public service, tourism, utilities maintenance and the defence sectors.

'The visit of the key delegates has enhanced the standing of the show as the destination for showcasing rotor and related technologies and has encouraged the exhibitors, many of whom who have reiterated their commitment to return to the next edition, which will be held in 2006,' concluded Abulhoul.

Dubai Helishow 2004 was also supported by the UAE Airforce and Air Defence, Department of Civil Aviation, Dubai; Dubai International Airport and Government of Dubai; and saw active participation of helicopter manufacturers from countries such as Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Jordan, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sweden, Taiwan, UAE, UK and the USA.