Over 100 airlines expected at AIME and MRO

Growing annually in popularity, the co-located events look likely to attract 3,500 attendees - an increase of 8 per cent year-on-year; and 250 exhibitors (10 per cent more than last year).

AIME promises to showcase cutting-edge design, innovative cabin fittings and the latest trends in technological advancements for the region’s flourishing commercial and business aviation market.

The region has seen a substantial increase in demand for aircraft; creating enormous demand for aircraft interiors. IATA estimates that Emirates plans to double its fleet by 2020 to about 400 aircraft, pointing out that the company is leading the movement of fleet growth for airlines in the Middle East in the coming years, until the year 2020.

This demand has seen frenetic pre-registration for AIME & MRO ME with 92 airlines already signed up to attend from India, Europe, Asia, Middle East and across Africa.

The key importance of these events is the time the exhibitors have to network with current and potential customers, helping to build relationships and highlight the importance of the Middle Eastern market.

The Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Middle East workshops and conference feature an interesting agenda, under the theme “Adapting to Changing Requirements to Ensure a More Profitable Future”. The event also includes two “power roundtable” sessions on February 4, addressing the “Impact of Leasing on MRO practices” and “The MENA Manpower Challenge.”

MRO will start with a keynote address from Abdulrahman Altayeb, VP Maintenance, Saudi Arabian Airlines. Other thought-provoking moderators throughout the two-day conference include Zaffar A. Razzaq, VP for the Middle East and North Africa, commercial engines and global services, Pratt & Whitney and John Maggiore, director, fleet and maintenance solutions, Boeing.

Michele van Akelijen, managing director, F&E Aerospace organisers of the co-located events, in partnership with Aviation Week said: “The demand for innovative aircraft interiors and maintenance, repair and overhaul services has grown in line with regional carriers' fleet increases, underlining the need for these events in the Middle East region. Both shows provide a strong platform for key industry figures to come together over two days in Dubai.”