Dubai Airshow 2019 which was officially opened on November 17 is set to welcome 1,288 exhibitors and more than 87,000 trade visitors over the next five days. The event was inaugurated 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. It was also attended by 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.
Highlighting the importance of the facility’s work, Robert Harward, Middle East Chief Executive, Lockheed Martin, said, “Our biggest investment in the UAE is in its human capital.” Presenting His Highness with a special patch commemorating the launch of the Endeavour Scholarship programme, Thomas J Kallman, President & CEO, Kallman worldwide Inc, 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, the students were selected and the patch was created to commemorate that.”
Commenting on the official opening, Michele van Akelijen, Managing Director, Aerospace Division, Tarsus Group PLC, 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. We will be having 100 new exhibitors and innovative product launches this year.”