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Tom Jones performs to a 3,200-strong crowd at the Dubai Airshow Gala Dinner |
UAE. Leading entertainer Sir Tom Jones was the big social highlight of the Dubai Airshow Gala Dinner last night – an event which was jointly hosted by Dubai Airports, Emirates Airline and Dubai Duty Free. It attracted 3,200 people.
The Dubai Airshow Gala Dinner was hosted at the Meydan, home of the world’s richest horse race. Jones flew in to Dubai on Emirates to perform exclusively for an invited audience at the event.
During the evening, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, Chairman of Dubai Duty Free and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, made the opening address and welcomed guests to the event which he described as a celebration of aviation, a celebration of Dubai and a celebration of the UAE’s 40th anniversary.
“I’m very pleased to see so many people here tonight representing companies and cultures from across the globe. Perhaps more than any other city in the world, Dubai lives and breathes aviation,” he said, pointing out the massive growth of the aviation industry and the Airshow itself in recent years.
“The very first Dubai Airshow was held 22 years ago with 25 aircraft on display and 20 exhibitors. Today the airshow has grown to become one of the largest in the world, with over 100 aircraft displays, 960 exhibitors from 50 countries and 55,000 visitors,” added His Highness.
Anita Mehra, Chairperson of the Dubai Airshow Gala Dinner Committee said: “It was an absolute honour and privilege to have Sir Tom Jones performing at this spectacular event. He is one of world’s greatest performers and a real icon of the music industry. His phenomenal performance was without question the social highlight of the Dubai Airshow.”
As reported, the event was also notable for a record-breaking aircraft order by Emirates Airline from Boeing. The UAE carrier ordered 70 Boeing aircraft valued at US$26 billion, the single largest aircraft order in dollar value in the US manufacturer’s history. The order includes 50 777-300 ER aircraft worth around US$18 billion, and a further 20 options at US$8 billion.
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Sir Tom Jones (fourth from right) with Dubai Duty Free officials and guests (l-r): Alpana Cidambi, Ramesh Cidambi, Senior VP-IT and Logistics, Salah Tahlak, Senior VP-Corporate Communications, Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman, Breeda McLoughlin, Carmel Horan, George Horan, President and Sinead El Sibai, VP-Marketing |
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HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, Chairman of Dubai Duty Free and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline, addresses guests at the Airshow Gala Dinner |
In related news, as the Dubai Airshow entered its fourth day, Dubai Duty Free announced the fourth car winner in the popular “˜Airshow Finest Surprise’ promotion. The Dubai Duty Free luxury car draw attracted many visitors as a Mercedes Benz S500 (Iridium Silver) in Series 1473 was the prize of the day.
Salah Tahlak, Senior Vice-President, Corporate Communications of Dubai Duty Free, drew the winning ticket, which belonged to Mr. Marazban Godrej, an Indian national, based in Dubai.
As the Dubai Airshow week comes to a close, Dubai Duty Free will conduct its final draw of the week for the Bentley Continental Flying Spur. Tickets are on sale at Dubai Duty Free counters and in Dubai Duty Free shops for the last day of event.
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Salah Tahlak picks the winning ticket for a luxury car at the Airshow |
