F&E Aerospace open doors to the media at new Dubai Airshow venue

The show, held every two years, will run at a purpose-built Dubai World Central site from 17 – 21 November 2013.

As the 13th edition of the Dubai Airshow approaches organisers are expecting the biennial event to host up to 60,000 trade visitors and over 1,000 exhibitors – which include 226 new UAE based companies signed to date; an increase of 21% on the last show in 2011.

The Dubai Airshow opens next month in a brand new home – the multi-billion-dollar Dubai World Central (DWC) aerotropolis in Jebel Ali, Dubai – with organisers hailing the move as the opening up of a new growth era.

“The site provides greater than ever accessibility for all involved in the show being easy to get to from Dubai’s main highways and from all other emirates,” said Sharief Fahmy, CEO, F&E Aerospace, “the venue is also very accessible as it is just 20/30 minutes’ drive from most key locations in Dubai and 40 minutes from Abu Dhabi International Airport – thus making it truly central between both cities” and with over 5,300 parking spaces – three times that of the previous Dubai Airport Expo site as well as a park and ride option from Ibn Battuta metro station and numerous hotels; traffic management should therefore prove extremely smooth.

“The Dubai government’s investment in the site is a clear demonstration of its belief in the future of this show and its commitment to delivering world-class events which consistently raise the bar.”

“The busy flying schedules of Dubai International Airport also limited our daily flying display capabilities which have now been significantly freed up,” added Fahmy, the show’s flying display will run daily between 2pm and 5pm.

The Dubai Airshow will see the return of the UAE’s Al Fursan aerobatics squad along with the Red Arrows from the UK, also confirmed for the aerial flying display; a first for the gulf region the military aircraft - A400M and a first for the Dubai Airshow Boeing’s F/A-18E Super Hornet, with others set to be announced nearer to the show.

“The aviation growth of Dubai prompted the move and as a result the expanded exhibition space and footprint will now total site spanning 645,000 square metres – more than double that of the old site,” explained Fahmy.

“Exhibitors and visitors will immediately ‘feel’ the difference with the exhibition halls having more spacious aisles, an improved media centre with all press facilities being clustered in one area, a larger static park for more aircraft and more spaces for outdoor pavilions which can now remain on site permanently - a growing trend at airshows.”