The eyes of the aviation world focused keenly on Dubai Airshow, the 11th and largest in the biennial series, as it began a five-day run this month at Airport Expo Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, following a year in which the international aerospace industry had fought against the impact of a global downturn.
In many ways the show, organised by F&E Aerospace, had already defied the odds, attracting its biggest-ever exhibitor turnout of 890 companies from 47 countries, some 150 of them new-to-market, and 13 country and regional pavilions.
Together they spanned four halls, including the new 7,000 square metre temporary Emirates Hall, while 130 aircraft, an intriguing mix of next-generation passenger airlines, the most luxurious of VIP jets and military air might filled the static park, including the newest and most advanced US fighter jet, the F-22 Raptor.
It was a pervading sense that this show perhaps more than any other, being the Middle Easts foremost aerospace event and the worlds fastest growing, could witness a revival in aerospace industry fortunes that attracted a record turnout of a powerful, and influential, 800-plus international media corps.
And their anticipation was backed up by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President, Dubai Department of Civil Aviation and Chairman of Dubai Airports, who sounded a rallying call as the show opened, clearly positioning the UAE at the forefront of the expected upturn.