HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum
Inaugurates AIME and MRO
Dubai, UAE. 22 January 2013 – The very first aviation events of 2013 took flight today at their new venue - Dubai World Trade Centre with HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, and Chairman & Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group, officially opening the fourth running of Aircraft Interiors and fifth edition of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul shows.
The combined shows have 226 exhibitors – 15% more participants than 2012 and saw HH Sheikh Ahmed touring the exhibition halls, welcoming back companies such as Sabeti Wain UK, Gerflor France and ABJAD UAE.
For two days visitors will experience everything interiors related from in-flight entertainment, connectivity, seating and galley equipment to the latest emerging trends in the design of interiors. The AIME and MRO exhibitor line-up include new-to-show pavilions from countries - Ireland and Netherlands, plus a new IFEC pavilion.
Representing the Irish Pavilion, Enterprise Ireland’s Market Adviser, Anthony Cahill said: “It is our first time hosting an Irish pavilion at AIME and MRO, and judging by the positive feedback from meetings our companies had on the first day – this will not be our last. We had the pleasure of meeting HH Sheikh Ahmed as part of his royal tour - he greeted all our exhibitors and expressed interest in the latest development of our products and innovations.”
HH Sheikh Ahmed also visited new exhibitor – OnAir from Switzerland; who recently teamed up with Emirates, to provide Wi-Fi and GSM on their entire fleet of A380s. Ian Dawkins, Chief Executive Officer, OnAir said: “The Middle East is a key region for us; and in regards to global connectivity it really is being driven by this region and that’s not just Wi-Fi but also GSM.
The Middle Eastern airlines are embracing it like no one else in the world. Other regions are starting with Wi-Fi, but the Middle East is embracing the full service and going beyond the passenger - with crew applications and operation agreements etc. This region is extremely important for us especially since the key airlines are based here - they are the ones setting the trends globally.”
AIME is co-located with the MRO Middle East exhibition and conference; this year’s conference theme is ‘Fostering Growth through Innovation and Collaboration.’ The keynote address was delivered by Tiymor Kalimat, Manager Technical Procurement, Royal Jordanian Airlines highlighting the importance of MRO in the region: “Roughly the current value of the MRO industry is valued at more than $4.5 billion and it is estimated to improve by 2021 to $70 billion. When specifically looking at the region we can see MRO represented is at $2.5 billion – with expectations the next 15 years will rise to $4 billion. The region is playing a significant role and everyone is expecting growth in the Middle East and it will happen!”
The MRO Conference will be tackling issues surrounding manpower shortages and the battle between insourcing and outsourcing. Lydia Janow, Director of Conferences & Exhibitions for Aviation Week, said: “It is great to be back in the region for the fifth MRO ME show, and as highlighted today by our speakers the MRO industry in the Middle East will continue to grow to meet the requirements of the thriving regional aviation industry.”
F&E Aerospace and Aviation Week are forecasting a record visitor turnout for the industry-only event. Pre-registration already reached 2532 attendees from 70 countries before the doors had opened.
Photo caption 1: HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum - pictured with Alison Weller, Managing Director, F&E Aerospace at the ANKER-Teppichboden / rohi Stoffe GmbH stand at the Aircraft Interiors and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul shows at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).
Photo caption 2: HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum - pictured with Alison Weller, Managing Director, F&E Aerospace and the Thales staff being introduced to the new Gesture Control System at the Aircraft Interiors and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul shows at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).
For F&E Aerospace, contact: Gemma L’Appanna, PR Manager – T: +971 4603 3300 M: +971 555 163 914; E: gemma.lappanna@dubai.aero
For Aviation Week, contact: Joe D’Andrea T: +1 212-904-3780 e: joseph_dandrea@aviationweek.com
