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Record-breaking Dubai Air Show continues to soar

Deals for Bombardier aircraft took the order tally to new airshow heights with Iraqi Airways signing a letter of intent for five CS300 mainline jetliners, worth approximately US$387 million, increasing to US$1.26 billion if 11 options converted into firm orders. 

Minutes later low-cost Thai carrier, Nok Air, placed a firm order for two Bombardier Q400 NextGen aircraft, as well as purchase rights on four more. The order is valued at approximately US$63 million and could increase to US$258 million if Nok Air exercises its options and purchase rights.

The show’s order and visitor footprint was living up to the exhibition’s new venue home. The Dubai World Central setting, winning admiration from exhibitors and visitors alike, proved it has international pulling appeal, as business discussions involved potential partners from throughout the GCC, wider Middle East, Africa and Far East.

Having broken all world airshow order book records on Day One, the exhibition went to on record a steady stream of business.

Day Three also saw Bell Helicopter announce that by year end, it will make the global debut delivery of its first Bell 412EPI to Abu Dhabi Aviation, where it will be used for offshore oilfield support.

Saudi Arabia’s Alpha Star Support Services signed a US$13.3 million contract to supply ground support equipment to fellow Saudi Arabian concern TLD. The contract includes two tractors, belt and cargo loaders, air conditioning and ground power units, jet starters and passenger steps.

Al-Obaidani International, an Omani military and civil aviation uniform designer and manufacturer, sharing the Transworld Aviation pavilion, is weighing up its options for a go-it-alone stand at the Dubai Airshow 2015 after meeting new potential clients.

“We are now following up on enquiries from South Africa and other African countries and will be looking for a small stand of our own at the next show,” said Tony Gomes, Senior Business Development Executive.

Ethiopian, the Star Alliance airline member, is now in talks with potential GCC clients for its MRO services. “This is a good region for us,” said Yiregalem Tekele, MRO Sales Manager. “There is increasing focus from the GCC into the African market and we are ready to seize this opportunity.

Also committed to both the next Middle East Business Aviation show – which runs at Dubai World Central in December 2014 – and the Dubai Airshow 2015, is Near East Jets Service – a division of Jordanian Private Jets Services.

“We are on an expansion path having recently opened a VIP facility at Al Bateen Airport in Abu Dhabi from where we see good ground-handling business complementing our existing facilities at Marka and Aqaba in Jordan,” said Shaheed Hameed, Operations Co-ordinator. “We see good business from this region, and have to be at the exhibition to make our presence clearly felt.”