Buyers, sellers only gazed in Dubai

ucebeci@hurriyet.com.tr

Buyers and sellers at this year’s Dubai Air Show, the biggest aviation fair in the region, only gazed at each other, conjuring memories of previous shows at which billions of dollars in orders were made.

Financiers, meanwhile, were seeking credit back payments, going on an intelligence mission at the fair and breathing in the spoilt air of the market.

The civilian market dominated the fair, which was attended by 890 companies touting 125 planes, helicopters and unmanned drones. There were no big orders or eleventh-hour surprises. Airbus had brought its A380, the giant passenger jet that received 74 orders from the Middle East. The double-deck, 555-seat A380 was the center of attention.

Boeing wanted to leave days of angst behind with its 787, which is expected to make its first flight Dec. 22. The U.S. manufacturer looked for new customers especially for its 747-8, the latest addition to its jumbo jet franchise. Manufacturing and painting is complete on the 747-8, which will fly in January. The first delivery will be made to Cargolux Airlines in the fourth quarter of next year.

In the regional market, Bombardier and Embraer focused on business jets while rivals Dassault, Gulfstream and Cessna brought in all their planes. Including air-taxi companies and jet-partnership operators, there were 63 private jets at the Dubai fair.

Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors Hamdi Topçu, General Manager Temel Kotil and Deputy General Manager Kazım Çalışkan represented Turkish Airlines, or THY, at the show. THY managers held meetings with manufacturers and chased opportunities in Dubai.

“Foreseeing the 2008 crisis, we decided to expand instead of hitting the brakes. With new destinations and frequencies, we increased the market,” said Topçu. “Regarding the 105-jet order plan, we grasped opportunities instead of launching a bid. We ordered 12 777-300ERs, 10 A330-300s and two A330-200s for cargo. In 2011, we are expanding our long-range fleet by 80 percent. In cargo, we are looking for longer-range and bigger-capacity jets.”

THY also continued talks with Boeing and Airbus on single-aisle jets.

General Manager Kotil, meanwhile, noted the contributions of Emirates in the growth of the Dubai Air Show. “In Istanbul, we have the Airex fair. Let’s make it grow,” he said. “Instead of Dubai, let’s organize the third-biggest air show after Paris and Farnborough. We are ready to lend all kinds of support to such a project.”

The biggest Turkish company represented at the fair was THY Technic, which publicized its maintenance, repair and overhaul center, or HABOM, and its training services. İsmail Demir, the general manager of THY Technic, said the center attracted great attention, adding that HABOM aims to be the most important maintenance center in the region. The MyTechnic plane-maintenance center, led by Yavuz Çizmeci and partners, was also at the Dubai Air Show.

MNG Jet, another Turkish company, aimed to enhance its air-taxi operations.

But all eyes were the radar-evading F-22, which flew on the first and last days of the expo only. The F-22 Raptor flew for the second time in public after the expo in Farnborough. The jet is currently used only by the U.S. Air Force and is the most expensive military jet with a price tag of $143 million.

Etihad Airways, which brought its Airbus A340-600 passenger jet to the show, signed agreements worth $750 million during the expo. The most important was its deal with Panasonic, which will elevate the standards of Etihad’s entertainment systems. All Etihad jets will use the ex2 entertainment system – the subject of continuing talks between THY and Panasonic – which brings services such as touchpad screens, mobile communication and wireless Internet.

This year, Etihad was selected “best airline” at the World Travel Awards.