The growing focus on the development of the rotary air medical sector in the Arab Gulf region is being highlighted by this year's Dubai Helishow. Abdulla Abulhoul, md, Mediac Communications & Exhibitions LLC says: "The time is right for the launch of a specialist exhibition which focuses on air ambulance, air rescue, air evacuation and other medical transport services."

The decision to hold the Dubai Air Medical & Rescue Show 2008 alongside Dubai Helishow 2008 from 11-13 November has been welcomed by Dr Fatih Mehmet Gul a flight physician, project manager for Saudi HEMS and founder of Air Ambulance Arabia.

He says that, although the aero medical field does not share the same rapid pace of development as the new health care facilities, plans are being studied by bodies including Dubai HEMS. "There is a new focus on quality to raise the level of medical care provided in the region," Dr. Gul says. "In the next few years, people will look for better services in every sector. The healthcare field in particular will require better patient transfer services." Today's air ambulance market in the Gulf Cooperation Council, which includes Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE, Oman, Bahrain and Qatar, is ready for the development of a greater number of professional companies in the region.

Abulhoul says that rising demand for air taxi services is driving helicopter orders. "Helicopter charter companies in the UAE, which traditionally served the oil and gas industry and SAR are benefiting from, for instance, the need to ferry executives, owners, and potential investors to the Palm and World islands."

He adds: "Dubai is well placed to service the demand from the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Russia, India and Asia. Industry insiders point out that local investment community showed considerable interest in setting up a joint venture development to manufacture helicopters using the latest technology from leading global players." Helicopters are also being used for sky banners serving UAE advertisers and event promoters.

Exhibitors this year show include: AgustaWestland; Italy Aviator & Aviation; Boeing; Emirates-CAE Flight Training; Eurocopter; Falcon Aviation; Hawker Pacific Air Services; Horizon International Training Academy; Aerolite Max Bucher; Avicorp; Bristow Helicopters; GENA Systems; Pall Corporation and RFD Beaufort.