Fairs & Exhibitions (F&E), the name behind the Dubai Airshow, is to stage a dedicated B2B trade exhibition serving the aircraft interiors sector.
Aircraft Interiors Middle East (AIME) will debut at Airport Expo Dubai in June next year and will service the
Middle East’s rapidly developing commercial and business aviation fleets.
AIME, which will focus on aircraft interiors, airline cabin systems and in-flight entertainment, responds to growing demand from the
region’s rapidly expanding commercial and business aviation operators.
“The Middle East is now internationally acknowledged as one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation regions with new airlines emerging and
existing carriers expanding their fleets,” said Virginia Kern, Chairman, F&E. “The scenario is just as bullish for the business aviation segment
with the region’s 300-strong fleet forecast to double within the next five years.”
“The region’s commercial aviation sector is buoyant with flag carriers Etihad, Emirates and Qatar on seemingly endless aircraft acquisition trails
and new entrants, such as RAK Airways, which is to launch in April, setting targets of buying two aircraft a year to achieve its ambition of carrying
2.7 million passengers within five years,” Kern added.
“Adding to the equation is the emergence of non-government, private airlines. Kuwait’s low cost carrier Al Jazeera is a prime example and has a
no-compromise stance on interiors quality with leather seats and in-flight entertainment in its Jazeera Plus premium product. Another two private
carriers in Saudi Arabia are readying to launch this November. It is an extremely vibrant market.”
The region’s business aviation segment is also surging and is now said by the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) to
be achieving 18% annual growth – outstripping that of Asia. MEBAA has predicted that the region’s charter airline industry alone will double over
the next five years and account for 40% of the Middle East’s total aviation market.
Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of the Dubai World Trade Centre, which owns and operates the Airport Expo Dubai said AIME will benefit
from F&E’s long-standing aerospace pedigree.
“This is a most welcome addition to Dubai’s expanding exhibition calendar and its mounting reputation as the Middle East’s centre for the MICE
industry. Having organised the Dubai Airshow since its inception and partnered the launch of the Middle East Business Aviation event, F&E has
the necessary industry knowledge, contacts and credibility to build AIME into a leading forum on the international aerospace calendar,” he said.
Alison Weller, Director Aerospace, F&E said the regional market for interiors is exemplified by sales at the last Dubai
Airshow and Middle East
Business Aviation event. “The fact is that at the Dubai 2005 Airshow some 197 aircraft were purchased with over 40 business jets being ordered
at the recent Middle East Business Aviation show – all of these require interior fittings,” she explained.
AIME’s exhibitor profile spans design, seating, in-flight entertainment, textiles, finishes, lighting, flooring, galleys and galley equipment,
waste management, safety equipment, power supply, lavatory products, laminates, food service equipment, upgrades, replacement parts, cabin
systems integration, touch screens, seat interfaces, food products, comfort products, amenity kits, refrigeration, completion centres, security
products, biometrics, cockpit doors, medical equipment, air quality products, catering facilities and electrical systems.
The show’s visitor profile includes: airframe manufacturers, engine manufacturers, avionics/systems manufacturers, interior design companies,
cabin system suppliers/manufacturers, commercial airlines, private airlines, regional airlines, private aircraft owners and pilots, finance, leasing
and legal organisations.
“A compelling marketing campaign will be instigated globally for AIME to ensure the show delivers return on investment to all its stakeholders –
exhibitors, visitors and sponsors alike,” added Weller. “The show will benefit from F&E’s extensive international network which now spans 10
countries.”
AIME 2008 will run at the Airport Expo Dubai from June 16-18.
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