Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Makhtoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurated yesterday the 11th Dubai Air Show-2009. The ceremony was also attended by General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Makhtoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council. Sheikh Mohammed welcomed Arab and foreign dignitaries attending opening ceremony of the Air Show. Later, he toured around the exhibition in which 900 technology companies specializing in civil and military aerospace are participating. Sheikh Mohammed said he was satisfied with the level of participation by the world"s leaders in aviation and aerospace industries. He said the extensive participation was yet another proof that the UAE, under the wise leadership of President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, had become a force to be reckoned with in global economy. "Thanks to Allah the almighty, UAE"s economy is still robust despite global financial and economic crisis," he was quoted as saying by the UAE news agency "WAM". Sheikh Mohammed, then, watched an Air Show by military and civilian aircraft, including an acrobatic show by the French Air Force team on Rafael aircraft, the United States" F-16 and F-15 and Italy"s Airmacchi. United State"s F-22 was performed its debut display in the region. Other displays were made by the giant Airbus A380 and other aircraft.
