Press Release

DUBAI AIRSHOW DONATES EXHIBITION SPACE TO UN'S WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME

Initiative designed to increase body's disaster aid delivery network

release date: 12th February 2009

Organisers of Dubai Airshow 2009 - the Middle East's foremost aerospace event and the third largest in the world - have re-affirmed their commitment to the United Nation's humanitarian relief World Food Programme (UNWFP) by more than doubling its free-of-charge exhibition space for this year.

Held every two years, Dubai Airshow, organised by F&E Aerospace, set a precedent in corporate social responsibility in 2007 by being the first exhibition to donate space to the UNWFP, which charters aircraft and sources logistical assistance from hundreds of contractors to deliver aid in times of disaster and crisis.

As a result of this high-profile exposure, which gave them access to more than 850 exhibitors and 45,000 trade visitors from 131 countries, the UNWFP recorded an increase in the number of air service providers used for aid programmes in 2008/9, which includes the current major aid schemes in Gaza.

"With the support and assistance we received from Dubai Airshow in 2007, we have been able to take our message to significantly more flight charter companies over the last two years," said Cesar Arroyo, head of UNWFP Aviation Safety Unit.

"UNWFP played a large role in supplying food to victims in Gaza with the help of these partnerships. Many aircraft service providers responded to other emergency disasters such as 2008 hurricane in Haiti, 2008 floods in Myanmar, 2005 earthquake in Pakistan and 2004 Tsunami in Banda Ache. Just to name a few of them SKOL, GM Helicopters, the AYR Group, Universal Avia, Naturelink and many others"

This year presents another golden opportunity for UNWFP to be present in the global aviation industry to not only find suitable carriers for humanitarian operations but also to find more organisations who are willing to sponsor these global efforts.

And to better facilitate increased dialogue for the UNWFP this year, F&E Aerospace has increased the organisation's stand space to 35 square metres - up from 12 square metres - ensuring a more eye-catching display at the November 15-19 event, held at Dubai Airport Expo.

Alison Weller, Director, F&E Aerospace, said: "Being in a position to assist truly worthwhile causes like the UNWFP is a privilege for the Dubai Airshow and, by extension, F&E Aerospace. Enhancing the organisation's donated space was a natural progression and we hope that our partnership will prove as beneficial, if not more, to the UNWFP this year as it did in 2007."

F&E Aerospace recently confirmed that the 2009 edition of the biennial showcase will remain at its current home at Dubai Airport Expo Centre, to ensure it continues to have access to the world-class facilities it has become synonymous with.