Bigger, better air show ahead

Having wrapped up the 2009 air show with $14 billion (Dh51 billion) worth of deals, Dubai is expecting this year's show, to be held from November 14 to 17, will be on a much larger scale. Without divulging numbers, Alison Weller, Managing Director of organisers F&E Aerospace, said that with some Gulf airlines expected to place orders, the show looks to be much bigger than the last one. "With Emirates and Qatar Airways expected to make aircraft order announcements — as it has been heard — we sure expect some big deals to be signed," she told Gulf News, adding: "The air show is not all about orders. It is more about the aviation players from the world over coming together." Emirates and Qatar Airways have already dropped hints about possible order announcements during the air show.