(Dubai) – A range of planes, jets and helicopters were on display here as the Dubai Airshow 2015 kicked off. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, opened the show during a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and members of the Dubai ruling family toured the show, stopping to see a range of aircraft and visiting a number of stands.
The UAE Vice-President went onboard an Airbus A350, of which Emirates airline is considering an order, and also boarded a Qatar Airways Airbus A380, accompanied by the airline’s chief executive, Akbar Al Baker. He also stopped to have a look at the Dubai South and Russian Helicopters stands, among others.
The five-day show, held every two years, is taking place at Dubai South, formerly Dubai World Central (DWC), where Dubai’s second airport, Al Maktoum International, is located.
The region’s major aviation event, which has attracted 1,100 exhibitors from over 60 countries, is expected to welcome over 65,000 trade visitors. More than 160 aircraft are on display at the trade event.
Sales at this year’s show are expected to focus on defence spending, as a number of countries in the Middle East, such as Yemen and Syria, are mired in conflict.
(Courtesy WAM)