Hundreds of dignitaries from the UAE and other Gulf states were at the Royal pavilion to witness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the crown prince of Dubai and UAE defence minister, cutting the ribbon to formally open the Dubai 2005 show.
Sheikh Mohammed then led an entourage to tour the halls and view the aircraft on display. With more than 100 aircraft on show, a record number for the Dubai show.
The crown prince was keen to visit the national pavilions which this year number 15, including three making Dubai show debuts – Austria, Turkey and India.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, head of Dubai Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) and chairman of Emirates, acknowledged the work done by the defence ministry and the DCA in encouraging official delegations to attend. This year groups from 88 countries are attending.
“The exhibitors will get the chance to meet influential decision-makers, the very people they most desire access to,” says Sheikh Ahmed.
Source: Flight Daily News
