Aerospace Week to address region’s role in industry recovery

Dubai, UAE. 26 February 2010 – Middle East airlines are expected to increase their demand for Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) by 7.6 per cent a year over the next 10 years, bringing the total spend to US$4.8 billion by 2019.

The comment was made by David Stewart, Partner at Aerostrategy, a UK-based consultancy specialising in commercial/military MRO market forecasting, who is speaking at MRO Middle East, the second edition of the successful conference and exhibition, presented by Dubai Airshow organiser F&E Aerospace and AVIATION WEEK.

The prediction for the Middle East MRO market compares favourably against the global market growth of 3.2 per cent, to total US$58.4 billion over the same period.

MRO Middle East is one of three shows running during ‘Aerospace Week’, from 28 February to 4 March 2010, which will be inaugurated at Airport Expo, Dubai, by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai’s Department of Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman Dubai Airports and Chairman & Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group.

Aerospace Week opens with the MRO conference and exhibition on 28 February which will bring together industry professionals to discuss the Middle East as the gateway to aviation’s global growth, the theme of this year’s conference.

Commenting on the recent IATA report that the region’s air passenger growth of over 11 per cent in 2009 was the highest in the world, Mr Stewart said: “Greater airline activity typically drives growth in MRO spend, so MRO suppliers serving the Middle East will likely see greater growth rates here than in other regions. However, competition is likely to increase and firms need to be intelligent and nimble about identifying where the best business opportunities lie.”

The issue of increasing competition is also noted by another conference speaker, Abdulla Al-Hudaid, Vice President Maintenance & Engineering at Jazeera Airways. “More companies are entering the market, resulting in competitive pricing. However, the region’s MRO industry could compete against other MRO centres, mainly in Europe, provided that they keep their labour costs low and use local, skilled manpower.”

Eng. Hisham Nasser, Quality Assurance Director at Egyptair’s Maintenance & Engineering division, will broach the subject of ‘end of lease return’. “Airlines are leasing more than ever before, due to the economic situation and MRO companies in the region will benefit from either end or beginning of leases when maintenance checks need to be performed.”

A topic of significant importance to the Middle East - the effects of the region’s harsh environment on the aircraft engine - will be discussed in a forum by Adil Al-Sheibani, Senior Manager Development Engineering at Oman Air. “In addition to discussing solutions to mitigate the effects,” he says “the forum will be an opportunity to initiate dialogue between various airlines that will allow for best practices for the region, based on in-service experience and maintenance practices developed by the individual airline.”

Running at the same time and location is the second Aircraft Interiors Middle East (AIME) show which includes workshops and an exhibition, showcasing cutting-edge design, innovative cabin fittings and technological advancements.

The final event of Aerospace Week is the Aerospace & Defence Training Show (ADTS), from 3 to 4 March 2010, in association with Halldale Media.

ADTS comprises an exhibition featuring simulation training companies, training providers, colleges and manufacturers. The conference will cover topics such as how to engage youth in aviation and pilot training programmes.

For F&E Aerospace, contact: Ms Frances Barton, PR Manager, T: +9714 286 7755; M: +97150 650 3900; e: frances.barton@dubai.aero

For AVIATION WEEK, contact: Lisa Jaycox, Communications Specialist, T: +1 212-512-3272, M: +1 7189647404, e: lisa_jaycox@aviationweek.com

 

About F&E Aerospace

F&E Aerospace is a division of F&E. One of the most influential names in the aerospace industry's events sector, F&E launched the very first Dubai Airshow in 1989, in conjunction with Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and the UAE Armed Forces.

Covering all aerospace-related events in the F&E portfolio, F&E Aerospace has a long-standing relationship with the global aerospace industry, an in-depth knowledge of the market and a hard-earned reputation for delivering event excellence. F&E Aerospace maintains offices in London and Dubai.
Dubai Airshow, the 12th show in the series, takes place from 13 to 17 November 2011 at Airport Expo, Dubai. The latest running of the biennial show, in 2009, drew 890 exhibitors from 47 countries and almost 53,000 industry professionals from 138 countries - an 18 per cent rise in attendee numbers.  www.dubaiairshow.aero

Middle East Business Aviation (MEBA) show, from 7 to 9 December 2010 at Airport Expo, Dubai, is organised on behalf of the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA). The previous exhibition in 2008 attracted some 250 exhibitors from 30 countries and over 5,500 visitors, closing with more than US$1.5billion worth of deals struck. www.meba.aero

Delivering world class events for 50 years, F&E organises international trade events for business and consumers all over the world. It is a member of the Tarsus Group plc, which was founded, and listed on the London Stock Exchange, in 1998. With offices in the UK (London), USA (Milwaukee), France (Paris), Germany (Düsseldorf) and China (Shanghai), the international business-to-business media group has interests in exhibitions, conferences, publishing and online media.

About AVIATION WEEK

AVIATION WEEK, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, is the largest multimedia information and services provider to the global aviation, aerospace and defense industries, and includes Aviation Week & Space Technology, Defense Technology International, Business & Commercial Aviation, Overhaul & Maintenance, ShowNews, Aviation Daily, Aerospace Daily & Defense Report, and the World Aerospace Database. Its website, http://www.aviationweek.com, offers the industry's most reliable news, information, search and online community tools. Premium content services include the Aviation Week Intelligence Network and MRO Prospector. The group also produces prominent conferences, exhibitions and management forums around the world.

About The McGraw-Hill Companies

Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP) is a leading global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor's, McGraw-Hill Education, Platts, Capital IQ, J.D. Power and Associates, McGraw-Hill Construction and AVIATION WEEK. The Corporation has more than 280 offices in 40 countries. Sales in 2008 were $6.4 billion. Additional information is available at www.mcgraw-hill.com 

Ends -