Dubai Air Show 2013 reflects importance of world's aviation industry to region, says Ahmed bin Saeed

Dubai: H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Emirates Group, said the Dubai Air Show 2013 reflects the importance the world's aviation industry attaches to the Middle East region despite challenges experienced by the global economy. He added that the event enhances the communication between the aviation industry officials and the decision makers on one hand, and the exhibitors on the other. Sheikh Saeed told Deraa Al Watan (Nation's Shield) in an interview that what had started humbly at the halls of the Dubai World Trade Centre in 1986, has grown gradually since 1989. The Dubai Air Show in 1989 was hosted at the Dubai International Airport at land area of 7, 000 square metres with participation of 200 exhibitors. It was visited by 10, 000 specialists and employees in the sector. He noted that the event represents a platform for the commercial and military aviation sectors to grow and prosper, hoping that the Dubai Air Show 2013 would be another extension to previous successes, especially this year's event draws hi tech suppliers from worldwide. Sheikh Saeed said, "We supported A380 aircraft when it was still a pilot project," noting that "We were the first to place A380 orders", helping the Airbus to shift from the design phase to the manufacture. He added that "Our investments in A 380 exceeds Dh180 billion. Emirates Airlines is the major company worldwide that operates A380. Our A380 fleet is 38 aircrafts. We have placed orders to purchase 52 A380 aircrafts." He added that Emiratis constitute 40 per cent of employees at Emirates Airline since 2008, 24 per cent of them occupy the leading positions, noting that there are 300 Emirati pilots and 400 aviation engineers. – Emirates News Agency, WAM