Airport Expo Dubai - the home of the Dubai air show - is to get its third upgrade to accommodate growth for Dubai 2007 - the tenth international aerospace exhibition.

The upgrade will include a fully air-conditioned, 2,000 square metre tented structure to cater to increased exhibitor demand, a face lift for the hospitality chalets and the construction of additional hospitality suites and meeting rooms.

“This third infrastructure investment in the Dubai air show in as many events shows the solid commitment the emirate’s government and its Department of Civil Aviation place on this world-class aviation forum,” said His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President, Department of Civil Aviation, Government of Dubai and Chairman of the Emirates Group.

“In keeping with the high service philosophy and reputation of Dubai we are determined that the Dubai air show stays ahead of the curve and delivers added value to exhibitors and visitors at every possible turn.”

Airport Expo Dubai was built in 1999 as a dedicated home for the Dubai air show and has since undergone major expansion to include a third exhibition hall.

“We have consistently needed to reinvest and upgrade to cope with spiralling demand,” said Khalifa Al Zaffin, Director Engineering, Department of Civil Aviation Government of Dubai. “While this has involved us in some structural challenges, an imaginative approach to design has enabled us to go-ahead with these latest initiatives.

Dubai 2007 will be held at Airport Expo Dubai from November 11-15 next year.

“This latest round of upgrades for Airport Expo will ensure that Dubai 2007 lives up to the event’s hard-earned reputation of being the world’s most user-friendly international aerospace exhibition,” said Virginia Kern, Chairman, Fairs & Exhibitions (F&E), which organises the Dubai air show in conjunction with the Department of Civil Aviation, Government of Dubai and the UAE Armed Forces.

“We are indebted to the emirate’s Ruler, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the Department of Civil Aviation for their extremely solid support over the years which has assisted in the show going from strength-to-strength in a structured, consistent and committed manner.”

International marketing of Dubai 2007 is set to begin this July at the Farnborough air show in the UK.

“We have already received significant verbal commitments from many of last year’s exhibitors who want to return in 2007 and believe that with these new value-added features, the international launch will receive an extremely positive response,” said Alison Weller, Director Aerospace, F&E.

HH Sheikh Ahmed: “we are determined that the Dubai air show stays ahead of the curve.”

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