DWC Aviation City to Complement Helicopter Market Growth

Despite a reduction of worldwide Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) spend, the buoyant global helicopter market indicates a strong positive outlook based on copter manufacturers projections, said a senior aviation executive at the Dubai Helishow 2008 – the international civil helicopter technology and operations exhibition being held at the Airport Expo until 13 November 2008.

Abdulla Al Qurashi, who heads the aviation and logistics components of Dubai World Central - a 140 square kilometre urban aviation community under development in South West Dubai - was speaking informally to several OEMs during the exhibition.

“The demand for helicopters worldwide is strong with a 20-30% growth forecast until 2015 by some leading manufacturers,” said Al Qurashi, DWC Aviation City CEO. “As the region’s premier centre of excellence for aviation manufacturing, MRO, aviation support services and consultancy, DWC Aviation City is at the right place at the right time to boost this growth.

“The project’s unique concept to establish a complete aviation cluster in one area to cater to the region’s aviation growth is strategically located to provide clients access to emerging markets as well as servicing the fast growing Middle East market.

“Its specialised helitaxi and heliport zone with over 44 helipads in the first phase has been strategically planned as a forecast for the impending demand for helitaxi operations in Dubai as an alternative travel option for the corporate world.”

DWC Aviation City’s heliport facilities have been planned based on projections of several diversified technology and manufacturing leaders of aerospace products and services, which indicate forecast deliveries of over 4,000 new civil helicopters until 2012. This also represents a 27% increase over 2007 forecasts, and a 50% jump over the number of helicopters delivered between 2003 and 2007. In addition, it is also projected that deliveries of new civil helicopters could top the 10,000-mark through 2018.

For the UAE market, the rapid developments of tourism and business-related facilities are expected to spur demand and usage of helicopters.

Al Qurashi added, “As far as the UAE market is concerned, the demand for helicopters is likely to come from various sectors including tourism, VIP charter, oil and gas, real estate, and medical and rescue purposes.”

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