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First Posted: 11/21/2013
(AP) The Dubai Airshow closed its doors to visitors Thursday after rainfall flooded parts of the trade event’s large exhibition hall.
Organizers of the airshow said in a short statement that exhibitors and visitors should not travel to the show due to “severe weather conditions.”
The show’s daily flying display by international aerobatic pilots also was grounded due to the rainfall. Rain is unusual in Dubai, but occurs periodically during cooler months.
Neighboring Saudi Arabia also experienced heavy rainfall this past week. Officials there say flooding has killed at least 11 people. The official Saudi Press Agency said at least four people were missing.
The Dubai Airshow, in its fifth day on Thursday, grabbed headlines earlier this week when U.S.-based Boeing announced orders of around $100 billion. Its European rival Airbus netted around $40 billion in orders.
F&E Aerospace, which organized the airshow, called it a “dramatic end” to the event. The airshow’s CEO, Sharief Fahmy, said in the statement they decided to close the hall for safety.
Associated Press