KEY POINTS:
Dubai Aerospace Enterprise is like many things from the United Arab Emirates: It's new, largely untested but already has global ambitions.
The business is chaired by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, part of the billionaire Maktoum family who run the tiny emirate of Dubai, a global service centre for neighbouring oil-rich emirates. Sheikh Ahmed is also chairman of Emirates airline.
DAE was formed in February last year but has already turned its gaze to the other side of the world and Auckland Airport.
DAE's American chief, Bob Johnson, said in Auckland yesterday that the company regarded the airport as part of DAE's plans to "build up an airport portfolio for the next 100 years".
The multinational aerospace manufacturing and services corporation aims to become a major player in the international aerospace industry.
DAE is just one of Dubai's long list of mega-projects. Its focus is on aircraft spare parts manufacturers, aircraft leasing and maintenance, airport management and an aerospace university.
DAE's divisions are:
* DAE Airports: Run by Kjeld Binger from Copenhagen. He is charged with acquiring and developing airport assets worldwide, and was in Auckland yesterday.
* DAE Capital: Aircraft leasing and financing services business.
* DAE Manufacturing & Engineering: Aircraft research, development, manufacturing and assembly business.
* DAE Services: Aviation technology products and services.
* DAE University. The academic aerospace institution opened last October.
DAE's shareholders include the Government of Dubai, Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority, Dubai International Capital and Dubai International Financial Centre.
Last month, DAE and Boeing announced they had agreed to work together in developing Dubai's aerospace industry.
The two companies were reported as signing a memorandum of understanding at the Paris Air Show to collaborate in aircraft services, customer education, financing and maintenance, repair and overhaul operations.
DAE has also bought Swiss-based SR Technics, an aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul business. It also wants to buy two US businesses - Standard Aero and Landmark Aviation - from the Carlyle Group.
WHAT COULD DAE DO?
* Transform the airport into a global hub for aircraft servicing and maintenance.
* Use DAE's new contract with Boeing to develop and expand airport services.
* Build at least one international airport hotel on vast undeveloped tracts of land.
* Tap into tourism potential and market New Zealand globally as a destination.
