OREANDA-NEWS. Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor, and Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, the Abu Dhabi Air Expo, the only general aviation exhibition in the Middle East, opens tomorrow.

The Abu Dhabi Air Expo will take place this week from Tuesday, 25 February to Thursday, 27 February 2014 at Al Bateen Executive Airport, with doors open from 10 am to 5 pm each day.

More than 17,000 visitors are set to attend with an exhibitor line-up of 175 companies spread out on over 80,000 square meters of exhibition space. The Expo will bring together owners, pilots, fixed-based operators and professionals in the general aviation industry from  more than 70 countries, including: Canada, United States of America, Germany, France, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Korea, Belgium, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Jordan, set to discover the industry's latest developments and innovations.

Visitors will also have the unique opportunity to experience the “Paper Planes” Art Exhibition by H.H. Sheikha Alyazia Bint Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan at the Gulf Centre for Aviation Studies (GCAS) facility in Al Bateen Executive Airport. The series of art work being displayed is from H.H.’s ‘Spontaneity Series’ with the focus of this exhibition being spontaneity and how aviation imparts a sense of freedom.

The UAE's Al Fursan Aerobatic team, Emirates Sky Diving team and the famous Captain Zoltan Veres, the recipient of five Guinness world records, are also set to wow crowds with an exhilarating performance on each of the three days at 3 pm.

One of the Air Expo's distinctive characteristics is that it takes place outdoors with exhibition stands set up alongside the aircraft on the static display where visitors can learn more about the general aviation industry’s most modern models. Air Expo will showcase key developments that relate to private aircraft, helicopters, general aviation manufacturers, airport equipment and services, pilot training schools, avionics, insurance and financing.

More than 100 aircraft will be on display from industry leading aviation manufacturers, including: Bombardier, Dassault Aviation, 2 Boeing aircraft, Gulfstream, Cessna, Piper Aircraft, Cirrus Aircraft, and, 5 Airbus aircraft at this year’s Expo. The exhibition is open for the public  during the 3 days at 10 a.m. Visitors need to be above the age of 16 years old and need to present a business card. Entry is by invitation or at a charge of 100 Dirhams upon entry.

Abu Dhabi Duty Free will also be showcasing their latest products and offerings in Abu Dhabi Air Expo and will also feature its ‘Scratch and Win’ promotion.

Shoppers  will be eligible for “scratch and win” tickets to win instant prizes ranging from diamond rings, electronics and gift vouchers and Golden Class – meet and assist annual memberships. Flight tickets to over 30 destinations will also be provided courtesy of Abu Dhabi Airports’ airline partners, which include Etihad Airways, Air India, Air Astana, Egypt Air, Air Blue and Gulf Air.

Abu Dhabi Air Expo 2014 is hosted by Abu Dhabi Airports along with the support of many key Abu Dhabi sponsors, including: ADNOC, UAE Armed Forces, the Department of Transport in Abu Dhabi, Al Futtaim Group, Falcon Aviation Services, Royal Jet, Abu Dhabi Aviation, Mubadala, Rotana Jet, Etihad Airways, Jetex, Breitling, the Tourism and Culture Authority of Abu Dhabi and, the General Civil Aviation Authority.