PAUL LEWIS / WASHINGTON DC
Defiant organisers insist number of delegations still high
The US Department of Defense has pulled its support for the Dubai airshow as the list of US exhibitors withdrawing grows. The show, taking place between 4-8 November, is one of the world's leading aerospace exhibitions and normally the main showcase for western civil and military aerospace companies selling into the lucrative Gulf and Middle East markets.
Major US companies who have cancelled participation since 11 September include Honeywell, Rockwell Collins, Gulfstream and Cessna, although the latter may be represented by a local distributor.
Bell Helicopter is not attending and the stand is being taken entirely by the Bell Agusta Aerospace joint venture promoting the BA609 tiltrotor and AB139 helicopter.
Despite uncertainty caused by the 11 September terror attacks and the strikes on Afghanistan, the show organisers, Fairs and Exhibitions, say there are no circumstances under which the show will be cancelled. Responding to criticism by Bell Agusta over the number of delegations attending, the organisers say civil and military delegations committed to the show are at "least up to the level" of Dubai 1999.
The US Aerospace Industries Association has also pulled its support but Joel Johnson, AIA vice president international says: "Most US companies will be going but with a significantly reduced presence and there will be increased reliance on European or local employees who are less of a target."
The major exhibitors with sales interests in the area are continuing to support the show. Pratt & Whitney says it will have a "low key" presence with no chalet. Raytheon has limited its participation to local employees only.
Boeing says it has similarly pared back its presence, with the withdrawal of US military equipment such as the AH-64D helicopter, and C-17 transport. The display will instead be confined to a United Arab Emirates (UAE) AH-64A, a BBJ business jet and several missiles.
Lockheed Martin and General Electric continue to plan large representations at the show, based on the F-16 Block 60/F110 engine contract with the UAE.
Cancellations among European companies have been fewer but include Flight Refuelling, Smiths Aerospace and Marshall Aerospace.
Source: Flight International
