Dubai Air Show clocks $100 billion in aircraft sales

Dubai: Aircraft sales at the 10th Dubai Air Show have crossed the $100 billion mark after a third day of major announcements by participants. Adding to the count on the third day was Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE), the global aerospace, manufacturing and services corporation, which started its entry into the aircraft leasing business with a $500 million purchase of eight Airbus planes from Emirates airline.

A press release issued by the event organisers said that DAE Capital, the group''s aircraft leasing, financing and insurance business, has acquired eight Airbus A330-200s in a split purchase and leaseback deal.

''The show has seen a staggering performance all round with orders going right across the aerospace spectrum, from mainframe deals to tilt-rotor contracts, from regional airlines and business jets to MRO supplier deals,'' Virginia Kern, chairman of Fairs & Exhibitions (F&E) that organises the show in partnership with the Civil Aviation Authority of Dubai and the UAE Armed Forces, stated in the release.

Deals on the third day included a firm contract for 10 Airbus A350 XWBs from Yemenia, the official carrier of Yemen, a $500-million maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) contract by Abu Dhabi''s Etihad Airways to Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies and an order for five A330s from Oman Air.

The show runs till Thursday.

''This is currently the third largest airshow in the world -- but I can see it taking second place if things keep going as they have been,'' said Claude M. Bolton Jr., US assistant secretary of the army for acquisition, logistics and technology.

Some 850 companies from 50 countries, including India, are exhibiting at this year''s show, which also features 11 national pavilions and more than 140 planes.