Press Release

DUBAI AIRSHOW 2009 TO REMAIN AT CURRENT VENUE

SITE EXPANSION PLANNED AS 90% OF ALL EXHIBITION SPACE ALREADY SOLD

release date: 21st January 2009

Organisers of Dubai Airshow - which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2007 - have confirmed that the 2009 edition of the biennial showcase will remain at its current home at Dubai Airport Expo Centre.

The announcement made by F&E Aerospace, on the sidelines of its inaugural Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Middle East (MRO ME) event in Dubai, said that the decision was taken to ensure that Dubai Airshow continues to have access to the world-class facilities it has become synonymous with.

"We are looking at the best possible options on how to grow the existing site to accommodate the increased growth we are expecting. We have already spoken to exhibitors and will shortly be updating the market of the site's expansion plans, which are critical in ensuring the show continues to establish itself as one of the world's foremost aerospace events," said Alison Weller, Director, F&E Aerospace.

To date, 90 percent of available space for Dubai Airshow 2009 has already contracted with 10 months to go, prompting organisers to announce that the Airport Expo site will be expanded to accommodate the growth that this year's event has already achieved.

And having already solidified its status as the world's third largest aerospace exhibition, the biennial Dubai Airshow, which runs from 15th - 19th November 2009, is expecting to surpass 2007's event.

"Unquestionably these figures are very positive indeed. Despite harsh economic conditions, space uptake for the show continues to grow and we have already overtaken the levels we sold for Dubai Airshow 2007, which in itself was a record-breaker," added Weller.

"With 2008 being one of the most challenging years in aviation history, the aerospace community is looking towards important growth areas to continue driving forward revenue streams. The Middle East is undoubtedly one of these markets, a fact clearly evidenced by the commitment to the event. Dubai Airshow has been widely regarded as the fastest growing aviation show in the world's fastest growing aerospace region for some time, a notion certainly not lost on the industry."

Weller was also quick to point out that despite some companies reducing the size of their stands for 2009, due to current economic pressures, the addition of new-to-market companies was offsetting this.

"We have to be realistic. These are challenging times and companies know that they need to be more fiscal with spending, and as such, a few companies have reduced the amount of space from 2007. However, on the other hand, we already have more than 50 exhibitors confirmed that have never participated before and many returning companies have also increased the size of their stands. That, in my opinion, is a testament to the strength of this region and the show as a whole," added Weller.

Dubai Airshow 2007 boasted 850 exhibitors and 11 national pavilions representing 50 countries - 130 of these being new to the region. 45,421 visitors attended over the five days - 10,000 more than in 2005 - and over 170 aircraft were displayed on the static park.

In addition, the show also saw over US$155 billion worth of orders placed during its five days and now holds the record for the largest amount of deals ever concluded at one event.