Kate Sarsfield/LONDON
THE FOURTH DUBAI International Aerospace exhibition will take place against a growing background of optimism in the Middle East, following the progressive peace accord between the Palestinian Liberation Organisation and the Israeli Government.
According to Airbus Industrie's 1995 market forecast (based on 19 Arab carriers), airlines in the Middle East and North Africa will acquire 911 aircraft worth about $60 billion between 1995 and 2014, marking a 250% increase in total fleet size.
Many Middle Eastern airlines are responding to the increase in traffic with the implementation of fleet-renewal programmes. Saudi Arabian Airlines recently agreed on a mix of 61 Boeing and McDonnell Douglas (MDC) aircraft. The hotly contested multi-billion-dollar deal involves the purchase of 23 Boeing 777-200s and five 747-400s; as well as 29 MDC MD-90s and four MD-11 freighters. United Arab Emirates (UAE) flag carrier Emirates Airlines has placed an order for seven 777s, with options for a further seven.
The increase in business to the Middle East has prompted an escalation in airport building, upgrading and expansion. Dubai International Airport, for example, is expanding, to meet a sharp growth in business caused by the economic upswing and the influx of visitors from the former Soviet Union and Eastern European countries. The airport has been granted permission by the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation to spend Dh735 million ($200 million) on a new terminal to accommodate future growth. As the second-largest airport in the Middle East, Dubai International handled around 3.3 million passengers in the first half of 1995. The expansion programme will enable the airport to handle a projected 10 million passengers by 2000.
The Jordan Civil Aviation Authority has set up a six-month, US-funded, feasibility study for a proposed joint Israeli-Jordanian airport connecting Aqaba in Jordan and Eilat in Israel. The study, headed by Lockheed Martin Management and Data Systems of the USA, proposes a Jordanian runway with a passenger terminal to be built on the border, 9km (4nm) north of Eilat
Czech company Aero Trade is proposing to establish a Middle East operation in Dubai. The company, which trades in aircraft, spare parts and ground-handling equipment, will make a final decision based on the response it receives at the Dubai '95 air show.
BOOST FOR THE SHOW
All this industry activity and the increased popularity of the Middle East has led to a growth of interest in the air show, as manufacturers look to the region to revive their fortunes. The show organiser, Fairs & Exhibitions (F&E), anticipates a record number of exhibitors and visitors. "We have completely sold out," says F&E managing director Virginia Kern.
To date, F&E has received confirmed bookings from more than 350 exhibitors, and it anticipates a 20% increase in exhibitors on the 1993 exhibition. About 25,000 visitors are expected at the biennial show, which runs from Sunday, 12 November, to Thursday, 16 November.
The show will mark the Middle East debut of a variety of civil aircraft, including the Boeing 777-200, which is scheduled for certification in early 1996. "Middle East customers have played a key role in the success of the 777 and it is fitting that the industry in the region, and its potential customers, get the opportunity to view the aircraft on their home territory," says Kern.
Tupolev will be touting for sales of its Tu-204C (cargo variant) medium-range airliner in the Middle East. The company formed the Russian Aviation Consortium earlier in the year with engine manufacturer Perm, production company Aviastar and Aeroflot Russian International Airlines, in an effort to boost sales of its Perm PS-90A-powered aircraft. To date, the consortium is believed to have unconfirmed "soft orders" for 268 airliners.
At the lighter end of the market, Raytheon Aircraft's $9.9 million Hawker 800XP business jet will also have its Middle East debut. UK and US certification has been awarded to the aircraft, which is powered by AlliedSignal TFE731-5BR engines and has wing aerodynamic refinements. The first production model is near completion at the company's headquarters in Wichita, Kansas.
Also on display will be the Cessna Citation X, the mid-sized business jet aimed at the Hawker 800 market, and Dassault Aviation's Falcon 900EX long-range business jet. This aircraft had a successful flight from UK-based London-Luton Airport to Las Vegas, Nevada, in October, covering an air distance of 8,700km (4,700nm) with a payload equivalent to more than eight passengers and three crew. The aircraft is an upgrade of the 900B tri-jet with improved AlliedSignal TFE731-60 engines, greater fuel capacity and updated Honeywell Primus 2000 avionics. The first aircraft is scheduled for delivery in mid-1996, following European Joint Aviation Authorities and US Federal Aviation Administration certification, planned for the second quarter of 1996.
Following hot on the heels of a recent contract to supply three A.109K2s and two licence-built AB.412EP helicopters to the Dubai Police Air Wing, Italian manufacturer Agusta will be displaying a range of aircraft including its turbine twins. Industry sources believe that Agusta is developing an upgraded A.109 which will be available in three versions. The company has declined to confirm these claims, however.
MILITARY MARKET
The combined effects of recession and the changed defence scenario has hit the military-aircraft market worldwide. The Middle East, however, provides rich pickings for military-aircraft manufacturers.
The UAE looks set to decide on an aircraft to fulfill its strategic strike requirement. The air force is interested in up to 80 aircraft to provide a long-range strike and an air-defence capability and which will carry its Hakim family of stand-off guided weapons. Deliveries are expected to begin in 1998-9. Aircraft in contention for the contract include Lockheed Martin's F-16C/D Block 50; the McDonnell Douglas F-15U; Dassault's Mirage 2000 and Rafale; Sukhoi's Su-35 advanced Flanker; the Panavia Tornado; and the Eurofighter 2000. A decision is expected by the end of the year.
During Dubai '95, the UAE Government is expected to announce the winner of its multi-million contract to supply between four and six maritime-patrol aircraft for its navy. Contenders for the contract include CASA of Spain, offering the CN.235, and Fokker of the Netherlands, offering its F50 Enforcer II.
The UK and Saudi Arabia are negotiating a memorandum of understanding covering the potential sale of Westland/Agusta EH101 helicopters as part of the Al Yamamah Arms agreement. The Saudis are believed to be interested in the anti-submarine-warfare variant of the EH101, known as the Merlin, for the navy, but there is also a possibility for sales of the utility variant.
Saudi Arabia is also negotiating with Lockheed Martin on the possible purchase of up to 70 C-130J Hercules 2 transport aircraft over ten years, to replace its existing fleet of more than 40 C-130E/Hs.
With the Middle East awash with ex-Soviet military aircraft, there are also rich pickings to be made by manufacturers in the upgrade and retrofit market. Russian company Rostvertol, which will be exhibiting for the first time at Dubai '95, has joined forces with Sextant Avionique of France and Russian design bureau Mil, to modernise and upgrade the Mi-35M helicopter. The work includes equipping the helicopter with night/adverse-weather combat capability.
The major Russian players at the show will be Aviaexport, Kazan Helicopters, Moscow Airways, Moscow Aviation Production Organisation, Myasishchev and the Sukhoi and Tupolev design bureaux.
Myasishchev will display its M-55 Geophysica-2. The two-seat high-altitude research aircraft, which will be shown for the first time at Dubai '95is expected to enter service in 1997.
MDC will show the AH-64D Longbow Apache attack helicopter. The aircraft and the mast-mounted millimetre-wave radar, being developed jointly by Westinghouse and Lockheed Martin, will enter full-rate production shortly.
EUROFIGHTER mock-up
A mock-up of the Eurofighter 2000 will be on display in the static park. The four-nation (Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK) combat-aircraft programme has suffered technical delays and programme rescheduling and has recently come under fire from UK financial watchdog the National Audit Office (NAO). The NAO has recommended that, on future collaborative projects, a single company should manage the programme.
As the international aerospace industry wrestles with the effects of recession, the oil-rich Middle East continues to grow at a pace. If the groundswell of opinion is unchanged, the Dubai air show will remain popular on the aerospace calendar for years to come.
Flying display
(Aircraft marked in red will form part of the flying display)
Aero Vodochody L-139
Aermacchi MB339
Agusta A.109K
Agusta SF260TP
Agusta A.412
Airbus Industrie A300-600
AMF Shabaz Primary Trainer
Antonov An-32P
Atlas Aviation/Denel Rooivalk
Atlas Aviation Oryx AS.330
Beech 1900C/D
Beech King Air 200
Beech Super King Air
Bell AH-1W
Bell 412HP
Boeing 777-200
British Aerospace Hawk
Panavia Tornado
British Aerospace/Avro International
RJ 85
Canadair CL-415
Canadair C- 601-3R Executive
Canadair CL-604
Canadair Global Express mock-up
Canadair Special Edition
Cessna Citation X
Cessna Citation V11
Cessna Citation Ultra
Cessna Grand Caravan
Cessna 1SP
Commander Aircraft 114A/B
Dassault Rafale B
Dassault Mirage 2000
Dassault Falcon 900EX
Dassault Falcon 2000
Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet
de Havilland Dash 8
Dornier 328-100
Eurofighter 2000
Gulfstream C-20G
Gulfstream GIVSP
CASA/IPTN CN.235
Learjet 60
Let L-410
Lockheed-Martin L-100-30
Combi Hercules
Lockheed Martin F-16
Lockheed Martin F-16D
Lockheed Martin C-130H
Lockheed Martin P-3 Orion
McDonnell Douglas F-15E
MDC F-18
MDC C-17
MDC AH-64D
MDC OH-58
MDC MD-90
MDC MD900
MAOP MiG-29
Mil Mi-8
Mil Mi-26T
Mil Mi-24P
Myasishchev M-55
NAMC K-8
Pilatus PC-6
Pilatus PC-7 MkII
Pilatus PC-9
Pilatus PC-XII Executive
Raytheon Hawker 800XP
Sikorsky SH-60
Sikorsky UH-60L
Sikorsky UH-60A
Sikorsky UH-60G
Slingsby T-67 Firefly
Sukhoi Su-35
Sukhoi Su-27
Tupolev Tu-204C
Westland Lynx
Zenair CH701
Zlin Z143L
This list is accurate according to information received at 30 October
OPENING TIMES
The Dubai '95 International Aerospace Exhibition, held at Dubai International Airport, United Arab Emirates, will run from Sunday, 12 October, to Thursday, 16 October. Opening hours each day are from 09.00-18.00.
TRANSPORT
Taxis are widely available from Dubai International Airport and throughout the city to the exhibition site.
ACCESS
The organisers stress that the exhibition is strictly for professional, trade and business personnel only. Access to the main exhibition area will not be granted to members of the general public, nor to children under the age of 16. Tickets are free and can be collected at the exhibition.
VISAS
Visas are required by visitors to the UAE, unless they are nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, or Saudi Arabia, or are holders of a UK passport describing them as a "Citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies". For further details, please contact the organisers (listed below).
ORGANISERS
Details of the show may be obtained from show organiser Fairs and Exhibitions; tel (London): +44 (171) 935 8537; (Dubai) +971 (4) 822855.
Dubai '95 exhibitor list
AABE HollandA789
Abu Dhabi National Oil CoOD115
ACE HardwareB840
ACME ElectricA375
ADCOMA822
ADE-HMLB722
Adnan Trading EstablishmentA109
ADPR Consult (M)A110
Advanced Electronics SystemsA902
Advanced ElectronicsA850
AEL Systems InternationalA454
AEREAA579
Aero TradeA766
Aero VodochodyA768
Aerogulf ServicesA918
AeroluxB610
Aeronautical Radio of Thailand445
Aerospace Industries Association America
AerospatialeA720
Aerosud
AgustaA770
Air BP - BP Middle EastA920
Air France IndustriesA865
Air HansonA440
Air Marrel division of MarrelB303
Airbus IndustrieB430
Airco
Aircraft Manufacturing FactoryA909
Aircraft Modular ProductsA370
Airline BusinessA200
Al-Futtaim Auto & MachineryB840
Al-Futtaim MotorsB840
Al Jundi JournalA301
Al Shafar General Trading (AGASCO)
AleniaA670
AlitaliaA777
Allied Signal AerospaceA320
Alsalam AircraftA245
Altech Systems
AM General520
AOGA300
Arab Aviation ReviewB100
Arab Defence JournalA107
Arabian Aviation (Bell Helicopter)B640
Arabian Aviation (BTR Group)B640
ARINCA352
Armada InternationalA692
Armscor (RSA)
Aserma
Asian Aviation PublicationsA927
ATE
Atlas AirA126
Atlas Aviation ( division of Denel)B2
AviaexportA225
AviantB245
Aviation Parts and SupportB500
Aviation WeekA911
Aviator and AviationA116
Avio-DiepenA790
Avio InteriorsA779
Avions de Transport RegionalA730
Avitronics
B/E AerospaceB315
Barcom
Bardawil & CompanyB450
Bell Helicopter Textron
BFGoodrich AerospaceA450
BMW Rolls-RoyceB400
BoeingA330
Bombardier Canadair
Defence Systems DivA322
Bombardier IncB750
Braathens SafeA915
Bristol AerospaceB320
British AerospaceOD050
British Aerospace Aviation ServicesB604
British AirwaysB710
BTIA747
CAC SystemesA710
CAE ElectronicsB326
Caltex/EPPCOOD100
Camrus PublishersA904
Canadair Amphibious AircraftB750
Canadair Business AircraftB750
Canadian ConsulateB324
Capital Aero
CATCO Trading ILCB914
Certified Aircraft PartsA234
Cessna AircraftA250
Chalhoub, Michel, TradingB115
Chateauroux-DeolsA742
China National PrecisionB909
Chrysler Technologies
Airborne SystemsA470
Clansman Armour Systems
CobhamB715
CodexB105
Commander AircraftA660
Comniteck
Computerised Training SystemsB902
Construcciones AeronauticasB645
Continental Aviation
Technology (Oman)B914
Continental Aviation
Technology (UAE)B304
Daiichi KoshoB252
Daimler-Benz AerospaceA650
Dasic InternationalB600
Dassault AviationA600
Dassault ElectroniqueA640
Defence Export
Services OrganisationB618
Defence Publications AsiaA106
Defense NewsA302
DefexB302
DenelB2
Department of Civil AviationB340
DERAB620
Derco IndustriesA310
DHL Worldwide Express480
Diversified Aviation ServicesA275
DNATAB230
DPI LABSA461
DRSA456
Dubai Aviation CollegeB635
Dubai Ports AuthorityB748
Dyncorp Aerospace TechnologyB305
ElettronicaA775
Emergeny OneA792
Emirates AirlinesB540
Emirates Bank InternationalB350
Emirates General PetroleumA875
Emitrex Aviation ServicesB417
Ericsson Microwave SystemsOD200
ESD
Euro Avionics Navigations SystemeA691
EVD (Ministry of Economic Affairs)
Evergreen International AviationA358
Expal - Explosivos AlavesesA230
Expresso-DeutschlandB200
FabricoA374
FacomA607
Falcon Aviation
Federal Express InternationalA210
FIARA680
Flight InternationalA200
Flightcases InternationalB550
Flir SystemsA451
Fokker AircraftA784
Fuchs Electronics
GAMCO (Gulf Aircraft Maintenance)B530
Garrard & CoA728
Garsite TsrA357
Garuda IndonesiaB730
GATE (German Airport Tech & Equip)B204
GE Aircraft EnginesA820
GEC-MarconiB520
General AtomicsA453
GeolinkA115
GIAT IndustriesOD110
Gieves and HawkesB812
GIFASA638
Grinaker Electronics
Grinaker Systems Technologies
Grinel
Grob (Burkhart Grob)B103
Gulf AerospaceA630
Gulf Business Foundation GroupA430
Gulf Holdings InternationalB908
Gulf Marketing and ServicesB840
Gulf Technical Trading & Services
Gulfstream AerospaceA260
Hawker de HavillandB410
Hazeltine CorporationA355
Helikopter ServiceA914
Hellenic Aerospace IndustryA500
Helmet Integrated SystemsB700
Higher Colleges of TechnologyB735
Honeywell Military AvionicsA128
Horizons TechnologyA120
Houchin AerospaceB702
Hughes AircraftA560
Hyde Aircraft InteriorsB201
IARB826
IascoA103
ICE- 1st Nazionale Commercio EsteroA577
In-Flight Phone CorporationA118
Industri Pesawat Terbang Nusantara (IPTN)A880
Industrial AcousticsB704
Informatics (Division of Denel)B2
Interactive Flight TechnologyA420
InteraviaA886
IntercustB824
International BechtelB109
International Eng
& Consultant (IEC)A115
Intralink Service (Europe)A928
Janes Information GroupA101
Jet Aviation InternationalA908
Jet PersonnelB724
JolyA767
Journal of Electronic DefenseA450A
Kallman AssociatesA130
Kazan HelicoptersA220
Kentron ( division of Denel)B2
Key PublishingB913
KLM Engineering & MaintenanceA780
Kodak (Near East)A923
KongsbergA912
LangenthalB250
Lear AstronicsA906
LektroA452
Letecke Opravny KbelyA917
Litton Aero Products DivisonA376
LIW ( division of Denel)B2
Lockheed MartinA830
Logtek
Loral AeronauticA353
Loral Electronic SystemsB307
Lucas AerospaceB306
Lufthansa TechnikB330
Lynton GroupA688
Mach TwoB720
Magellan SystemsB108
Magnavox Electronic SystemsA359
Mannesmann-Demag/KBI-KeyboardingA665
Maplin Middle EastB107
Marshall AerospaceB515
Matra DefenseA630
McDonnell DouglasA255
MechemB2
Michelin - Aircraft Tyre DivisionA632
MicroturboA642
Military ParadeA929
Milkor MarketingB2
ML Aerospace & Marine DivisionB614
Mohammed Bin Masaood & SonsOD220
Monch PublishingA800
Moscow AirwaysB417
Moscow Aviation Production Organisation
(MAPO)A340
Naschem (A division of Denel)B2
Navy International Programs OfficeA390
Netherlands AerospaceA786
New Zealand Trade Development BoardB415
Nondestructive Testing Technical CenterB240
Norcontrol SystemsB850
Nordic AeroA922
Northrop GrummanA410
O'Gara-Hess & Eisenhardt ArmoringOD130
Oerlikon-ContravesOD120
Ogma-Industria Aeronautica de PortugalA685
Olympus-KMIB650
OSC Fairchild DefenseA371/37
Oshkosh TruckOD220
OTO BredaA580
Oxley AvionicsB810
Paradigm Systems Technology
PBS Velka BitesA916
Pilatus AircraftA327
PillerA890
Pisa
Plessey Tellumat
PMP ( division of Denel)B2
Pratt & Whitney CanadaB328
Premier AviationA354
Puritan-Bennett Aero
Systems - ACCTVA919
Quality Safety
Rapiscan Security ProductsB300
Raytheon AircraftA877
Reed AerospaceA200
Republic ElectronicsA356B
ReutechB2
Reutech Engineering ServicesB2
Reutech Radar SystemsB2
RFDA208
Robusta - Technical FabricsA787
RockwellA125
Rohde & SchwarzA667
Rolls-RoyceB830
RomaeroB220
Rosen Products DevelopmentsB308
RostvertolA540
Saab AircraftA870
Sabena TechnicsA240
SAFTA740
Sagar GlobalA270
SAT (Soci‚t‚ Anonyme
de Telecomm)A623
Secondo MonaA579
Sextant AvioniqueA647
SFIMA620
Shell Markets (ME) OD210
Shephard PressA111
Short BothersB814
Short Missile SystemsB816
SICMA Aero SeatA700
Siemens Plessey SystemsB420
Singapore AerospaceA855
SITA GroupA550
Smiths Industries AerospaceB510
Snap-On Tools InternationalA122
SnecmaA625
Society of British Aerospace CompaniesB900
Sogerma-SoceaA810
South African Airways B2
Southern Air TransportB310
Spot ImageA745
Stromberg Safety Equipment
Sukhoi Design Bureau
Sun Electric SystemsA791
Swartklip
SwissairA325
TAG AeronauticsB655
TaraflexA900
Team Aer LingusB820
Technical Studies InstituteA860
Teledyne ControlsA455
Texas InstrumentsA460
Thomson-CSFA645
Thorn EurophaneA747
Three Spears Afrika B2
Trade-Air Corporate Aircraft SupportB612
TransaeroA108
Transworld AviationA112
Tupolev
TurbomecanicaB740
UAE Department of CommerceA372
US Department of CommerceA372
US Federal Aviation AdministrationA356A
UAE Air Force MagazineA510
UND AerospaceA457
UnitecA420
United TechnologiesA530
USAG - Utensilerie AssociateA490
Videcom InternationalB254
Vinten W.B904
Volvo AeroB225
Wavionix SoftwareB906
Westinghouse Electronic SystemsA760
Westland Helicopters
WiedemannB202
Wilson PressA887
This is the current list of exhibitors up to and including 30 October.
South African exhibitors will be situated in Hall B2.
Source: Flight International