The declared on-site sales tally at the Dubai Air Show, which is currently under way at the Airport Expo Dubai, topped $100 billion as of yesterday (November 13) - after a third day of major B2B announcements.
 
Leading third day rally was again the Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE), the global aerospace, manufacturing and services corporation, which kick-started its entry into the aircraft leasing business with a $500 million purchase of eight Airbus aircraft from Emirates airline, said an official spokesman.

DAE Capital, the group's aircraft leasing, financing and insurance business, has acquired eight of the award-winning carrier's Airbus A330-200s in a split purchase and leaseback deal.

"The show has been a staggering performance all round with orders going right across the aerospace spectrum, from mainframe deals to tilt-rotor contracts, from regional airlines and business jets to MRO supplier deals," said chairman, Fairs & Exhibitions (F&E), which organises the show in conjunction with the Civil Aviation Authority of Dubai and in collaboration with the UAE Armed Forces, Virginia Kern.

Deals included a firm contract for 10 Airbus A350 XWBs from Yemenia, the official carrier of Yemen, a $500 million MRO contract by Abu Dhabi's Etihad Airways to Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies and an order for five A330s from Oman Air.

And the show, which runs until Thursday night and is the 10th in the biennial series, has continued to attract high-powered civil and military aviation delegations with their members having nothing but praise for an event which has made aerospace exhibition history.

Making his first visit to a Dubai Air Show, US's assistant secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology, the Claude M Bolton Jr predicted only great things ahead for the show.

"This is currently the third largest airshow in the world - but I can see it taking second place if things keep going as they have been," he said. "It has simply been outstanding and I have had to opportunity to meet with UAE Armed Forces leaders including the air force."

Chief commander of the Royal Jordanian Air Force Prince Feisal Bin Al Hussein also toured the show and declared it as "improving with age."

"I was particularly pleased to see the growth in the Jordanian pavilion which is twice the size of that in 2005 and presents a good cross-section of the aviation community within the country," he added.

Some 850 companies from 50 countries are exhibiting at Dubai Air Show 2007, which also features 11 national pavilions and more than 140 aircraft. - TradeArabia News Service