Emirates at the Dubai Air Show 2003

Commenting on the on-going edition of the Dubai Aerospace Exhibition, which takes place every other year, Sheikh Ahmed said: “This air show is a symbol of the vitality of the UAE's and the region's aviation industry, presently the world's fastest-growing.

“The 550 exhibitors represented here, from 36 countries, demonstrate the air show’s attractiveness to top players and suppliers from around the world. It has come of age as a ‘can’t miss’ international aerospace industry event.”

On a lighter note, Sheikh Ahmed concluded: “For the last several weeks people have been asking what we had in store for our own hometown's show. Now they have the answer."

As is customary at every Dubai Aerospace Exhibition, Emirates has put on a spectacular show for visitors. On 7 and 8 December, hundreds of industry and trade executives, VIPs and news media representatives were given the opportunity to inspect the Emirates' newest 'crown jewel', the A340-500 aircraft, which the airline launched into commercial service on 1 December to Sydney, in a world premiere.

Guests on tour sampled the new ice (information, communication, entertainment) inflight system, a world first featuring more than 500 channels of films, TV, music and games - three times as many as on other airlines. Emirates is investing US$1.8 billion in reinventing longhaul travel with a series of innovations including the world’s first enclosed First Class suites, featuring sliding doors which can be closed for maximum privacy.

Emirates’ distinctive exhibition stand, unveiled at ITB Berlin earlier this year, is a see-through triple-decker, suggestive of the interior of an A380-800's fuselage. 

Visitors can get a taste of the new A340-500, thanks to two of its new fully operational mini-suites featured in the stand, complete with mood lighting and personal video systems. A model of Dubailand, the planned $5 billion, two-billion square foot, mixed-used theme park - the biggest proposed entertainment complex in the Middle East, featuring the Mall of Arabia, expected to be the world’s largest shopping mall - is also on display.

The stand represents other operations and brands under the airline’s umbrella such as Emirates SkyCargo, Emirates Engineering, Emirates Aviation College and Skywards. Meetings are conducted in hospitality areas equipped with Internet pods and non-stop catering on the first and second  floors.

The Emirates stand also offers a dedicated reservations desk where delegates and visitors can confirm or book flights on the airline.