The 14th Dubai Airshow opened on Sunday (8 November), attracting in excess of 1,100 exhibitors from more than 60 countries and regions worldwide. Seven fighter jets from the United Arab Emirates Air Force (UAEAF) put on a flying display to kick off the biennial show held at the Dubai World Central's airport.

Major aircraft makers Airbus and Boeing are in attendance with about one third of the exhibitors coming from the Middle East region. More than 160 military and civil aeroplanes will be on display throughout the five-day event while the airshow will also feature a 3D print pavilion and an exhibition by the newly formed UAE Space Agency.

One of the highlights of the show will be the latest and newest aircraft showcased by Arab Gulf carriers. Experts say the Dubai Airshow plays an increasingly important role for the region to show off its fast-growing aviation industry, with the city's prime global location paramount to its popularity.

"I think it's the geographic advantage exactly the same as the airlines have. It sits here in the middle of the world. It is the bridge between Asia and Africa, between Europe and Australasia. And so it's there [that] the market in Dubai has grown," said Alan Peaford, editor-in-chief of the Arabian Aerospace magazine.

The Dubai Airshow, first held in 1989, is considered to be the fastest-growing air show in the world. At the 2013 show, deals reached more than $20.6bn (£13.66bn) in total. This year's event runs until 12 November and is expected to draw some 65,000 visitors from around the world.

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