Dubai Airshow 2019 was officially opened on Sunday 17 November, by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces. Also in attendance was Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who joined his father for the start of an inaugural tour of the site, set to welcome 1,288 exhibitors and more than 87,000 trade visitors over the next five days.
Joined by Michele van Akelijen, Managing Director of Dubai Airshow organisers Tarsus F&E LLC Middle East and Major General Abdulla Al Hashmi, Assistant Undersecretary for Support Services at the UAE Ministry of Defence, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid met with a number of exhibitors, starting with Lockheed Martin executives.
Hala Zarganie, who is the first Emirati engineer to be hired by Lockheed Martin in the UAE following an internship, spoke to His Highness along with a group of Emirati interns about the work of the firm’s Masdar City-based Center for Innovation and Security Solutions (CISS).
Highlighting the importance of the facility’s work, the firm’s Middle East Chief Executive, Robert Harward, said: «Lockheed Martin’s biggest investment in the UAE is in its human capital.»
His Highness also met exhibitors at the Yuzhnoye Design Office from Ukraine, the UAE Ministry of Defence, Boeing and Mubadala.
HH Sheikh Hamdan, meanwhile, visited officials in the USA Pavilion, where he was greeted by Kallman Worldwide CEO and President, Thomas J Kallman, and former astronaut, Apollo 15 Command Module Pilot Col. Al Worden, USAF-Ret.
Presenting His Highness with a special patch commemorating the launch of the Endeavour Scholarship programme, whose first recipients will be announced tomorrow, Mr Kallman said: «Our pavilion is not just about hardware and military equipment. We presented Sheikh Hamdan with a patch to mark our Endeavour Scholarship, whereby four Emirati students and two teachers are being flown to the United States to attend space camp in Huntsville, Alabama. In partnership with the UAE space agency, those students were selected and the patch was created to commemorate that.»
Meanwhile, Colonel Worden presented HH Sheikh Hamdan with a commemorative coin made from the spaceship’s metal fuselage, similar to one presented to HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid in 2017.
Sheikh Hamdan also paid a visit to the India Pavilion, a new addition to the international event’s roster of country exhibits, as well as stands from Lufthansa Technik, the UAE Space Agency and the UK Defence & Security Organisation.
Commenting on the official opening, Michele van Akelijen said: «It is an honour to welcome Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to officially open this year’s event. With more than 100 new exhibitors and innovative new product launches.»
The beginning of the Royal Tour at Dubai Airshow 2019
About Tarsus F&E LLC Middle East
Tarsus F&E LLC Middle East is one of the most influential names in the aerospace industry's events sector, and which launched the very first Dubai Airshow in 1989, in conjunction with Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Dubai Airports and the UAE Armed Forces.
Covering all aerospace-related events in the Tarsus portfolio, Tarsus F&E LLC Middle East has a long-standing relationship with the global aerospace industry, an in-depth knowledge of the market and a hard-earned reputation for delivering event excellence. Tarsus F&E LLC Middle East maintains offices in Dubai and London.
Dubai Airshow is firmly established as a key event on the international aerospace calendar. The next edition takes place at its purpose built location - DWC, Dubai Airshow Site, 17-21 November 2019. The Dubai Airshow is the foremost platform to promote any trends to discuss issues that will help develop the Middle East aviation industry.
Source - Dubai Airshow
