Dubai 2005 tally off to USD10 billion start

The Dubai air show order tally began at yesterday's Dubai 2005 Middle East Business Aviation conference when Saudi Arabia's National Air Services made firm commitments for five Airbus A318 Elites with an option for five more.

But the big news came during the opening of Dubai 2005, which was inaugurated by His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister.

He broke during his three-hour tour of the show to appear at a press conference by Emirates, the international airline of the UAE, where the carrier announced firm orders for 42 Boeing 777 aircraft to be powered by GE90 jet engines in a deal worth US $9.7 billion at list prices. This was the largest-ever order for the Boeing 777 family.

The announcement was made by Emirates' Chairman His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum and Jim McNerney, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Office of The Boeing Company.

Sheikh Ahmed and General Electric's Vice Chairman David L. Calhoun also signed an agreement, valued at US $2 billion, to purchase GE90-115B jet engines for all the Emirates 777s.

Sheikh Ahmed said:

"We are investing in more new aircraft to meet the escalating demand for Emirates' services from our customers across the globe. This new order will support the airline's growth plans, and enhance our fleet's range and versatility."

After officially declaring open Dubai 2005 - the largest ever Dubai air show - HH Sheikh Mohammed toured the static park calling at the Boeing 777 and the new generation super jumbo - the Airbus A380 - aking its Middle East exhibition debut at the show. The aircraft is taking part in the Dubai 2005 daily flying display sporting Emirates' colours. He was welcomed aboard the A380 by a high profile Airbus/EADS delegation including Claude Lelaie, Senior Vice President, Flight Division; Charles Champion, COO Airbus, the company's President and CEO, Gustav Humbert and Noel Forgeard, CEO, EADS.

Accompanying Sheikh Mohammed during the tour were Oman's Minister of Defence, His Excellency Badr Bin Saud Bin Hareb Al Bosaeedi; the Chief of Staff of the Kuwaiti Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Fahad Al-Amir and Swedish Air Force Chief, Major General Jan Andersson who is visiting the show to support the Middle East debut of the Gripen first, next-generation jet fighter which is appearing in the Dubai 2005 daily flying display.

More order announcements are expected during the coming four days of Dubai 2005 with organizers Fairs & Exhibitions (F&E) allocating three rooms to meet the high demand for press conferences instead of the usual single press conference room.

"These orders have really got the show off to a flying start and are justification of our claim that this is the true business-to-business show," said Virginia Kern, Chairman, F&E.

Dubai 2005 features 726 exhibitors from 46 countries, 15 national pavilions, an expanded official delegations programme representing 88 countries and over 100 aircraft on display - including around 40 business jets.

The show now has a new third exhibition hall - Central Hall- built specifically to handle growing exhibitor demand at the show.

Dubai 2005, which is organized by F&E in conjunction with the Department of Civil Aviation, Government of Dubai and in co-operation with the UAE Armed Forces, runs until November 24th. The show is open to professional industry visitors only.