Following the record-breaking show in 2007, the Dubai Airshow continues to grow. New for 2009 is an additional exhibition hall ‘Emirates Hall’; named after its host and sponsor Emirates Airline the new hall provides an additional 5,000sqm of exhibition space, an increased Press Centre and an extra registration building to accommodate trade visitor traffic.

This years exhibitors include:
Bombardier
Gulfstream
Hawker
Cessna
Lockheed
Aero Toy Store
Bell Helicopter
Al Jaber Aviation
French Air Force
Sikorsky
Dassault

UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum affirmed that the Dubai International Air Show, which is one of the top three air shows in the world continues to establish its position through the steady growth in the number of participants, the volume of participation, the number of visitors and the quality of the exhibits that represent the finest produced by the human mind in the aviation industry.

In his statement to Dira’a Al Watan, on the occasion of the 11th Dubai International Air Show 2009, Sheikh Mohammed said: “The success of the exhibition concurs with enhancing the status of our nation in air traffic across the world, and its goal of becoming an international station and a bridge linking East and West and the region with the world.”

This year the private jet industry has a large presence, despite the economic downturn. The Dubai Air show is expected do drum up a lot of business in the private jet sector “wheeling and dealing” cutting deals and writing up new contracts. Privé International will be staying informed on all the latest news and products being announced during the course of the show. Look for updates on our Twitter account.

The G650 is capable of traveling 7,000 nautical miles at 0.85 Mach and has a maximum operating speed of 0.925, which will make it the fastest civil aircraft flying.

It can climb to an altitude of 51,000 feet, which allows it to avoid traffic and inclement weather.

Despite a recession and some tough times, the G650 represents faith in the future. “Gulfstream is the largest employer, with 6,000 employees in southeast Georgia,“ says Pres Henne, senior vice president of Programs, Engineering and Test. “Since1967, Gulstream has been a cornerstone of the local economy. The investment of 400 million dollars and the creation of an additional 1,500 jobs over the past three years represents an investment to the community by General Dynamics and by Gulfstream. With the introduction of the G650, that tradition continues.“

Joe Lombardo, executive vice president, General Dynamics Aerospace group says they have 200 orders for the new G650, which is expected to be tested and ready for service by 2012. “I think most of our customers seem to have confidence that things will be improved by then so making orders now,“ says Lombardo.

Lombardo says that last year the aerospace industry got a “bad rap” after some CEO’s flew in private jets to Washington to ask for federal aid for their companies. “The bad rap I think you would agree had died down substantially,“ he says. “This is the result of a lot of education on our part and the part of associations to make sure that people, including those in Congress, understand the number of jobs affected by general aviation.“

Lombardo says they as they ramp up the G650 line next year, they’ll look at what happens to the rate of productions for their existing products. “Then we’ll see whether or not we move people. We can’t say for sure now but our expectation would be to to the point where we would eventually be hiring people back.“

The aircraft seats 11-18 passengers and has 16 panoramic windows and in-flight access to 195 cubic feet of usable volume in the baggage compartment. A first flight is planned for later this year and it is expected to be certified in 2011.