The sun will set on the final day of Dubai 2000 with memories of a world-class show site and intriguing possibilities on the horizon in the Middle East. Like some mirage of the desert, the possibilities of new markets are glimpsed and become clearer.
Likely civil aircraft deals in Iran and Libya should mark a milestone in better relations between those countries and the West. Most tantalising of all are rumoured tentative steps toward contact with Iraq, subject of economic sanctions since the Gulf War in 1991.
The stories centre on Airbus Industrie and Dassault. At either end of the spectrum you have the perspectives found in Washington and here in the Gulf. They are fundamentally different and the French may have understood this better than some.
Sanctions
The United States, and Britain are fully behind the economic sanctions imposed on Iraq. But sentiment in the Arab world is different. Only this week at the show, General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai crown prince and UAE defence minister, dismissed the idea that the UAE and other Gulf states are under terrorist threat from Iraq.
He said that the Iraqis remain part of the Arab nation and referred to the suffering of the Iraqi people as a result of the sanctions. "Iraq is in our hearts and minds and its history is our history."
In yesterday's Flight Daily News, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of Emirates Airline and president of the DCA, said that Dnata had had talks with Iraq about managing Basra Airport but said nothing would be done while sanctions are in place.
Of the five United Nations security council members, Russia, China and France want economic sanctions against Iraq lifted.
There is a story that Dassault has had preliminary talks with Iraq, possibly in anticipation of a time when sanctions are lifted. Likewise Airbus.
When asked about talks between Airbus Industrie and Iraq two weeks ago, John Leahy, senior vice-president, commercial, would only say: "We are having discussions with a lot of airlines around the world and I can confirm that we are having discussions with quite a few airlines in this region."
If anybody is going to lead the way in Iraq it is likely to be Airbus Industrie, which has been at the centre of negotiations for aircraft sales to Iran and Libya.
Iran is understood to have reached agreement for the sale of four Airbus Industrie A330-300s for operation by Iran Air. It is also said to be close to a major aircraft order from Libyan Arab Airlines covering orders and options for 24 aircraft.
In other industries, European companies are taking advantage of the thaw in relations with Iran in particular. This week, Shell announced an $800-million oil development deal in Iran.
Go back a year or two and such events would not have been thinkable. By the time the next Dubai airshow comes round, what changes may have happened in the region. And what a place to come back to! Dubai has set the standard for airshow facilities with the unveiling of the stunning new show site. It's an Arabian palace of a place and, combined with the gracious hospitality of our hosts, will make Dubai all the harder to leave. But leave we must. Until next time.
Source: Flight Daily News
