MRO ME to join forces with aircraft interiors show in 2010

Organisers said the increased visitor attendance was clearly indicative of the aerospace and MRO industries' pressing need to participate in high-level discussion and create a road-map for success given toughening economic conditions.

"We have seen representatives from over 35 different airlines, visitors flying in from five different continents and a conference programme that has pulled together many of the regional industry's leading players to discuss a blueprint for the future. The feedback we have had from all participants has been extremely positive and we firmly believe that this show will very quickly establish itself as a must-attend for the industry going forward,"

said Alison Weller, Director, F&E Aerospace.

Given the success of MRO ME, F&E Aerospace has also confirmed that they will be combining the event in 2010 with its Aircraft Interiors Middle East (AIME) - a dedicated aircraft interiors sector exhibition - to offer a more holistic product for the industry. The dates will be 28th February to 1st March at Airport Expo Dubai.

AIME, which debuted in 2008 with 100 companies from 15 countries, has already been earmarked to double in size.

"It makes perfect sense to combine the MRO and aircraft interiors shows, as they are both very closely linked in real terms. This way, exhibitors can now cover a far wider scope at one time. And more importantly, cross-over can occur so that more business opportunities are realised," added Weller.

The second day of the MRO conference at Dubai Airport's Expo Centre also ended on a positive note as it concentrated its attentions on the sustainability of MRO facilities in the Middle Eastern region.

The CEO of Silver Air, Steffen Harpoth, believes that with the region's four per cent growth rate forecast for 2009, increases in the MRO sector are definitely sustainable. "Airports are becoming bigger, better and more efficient here and this is proving to be very favourable to the business climate. Together with its liberalism and an environment of doing business, the region will also be able to pick up a great deal of MRO business from other neighbouring areas," he said. "Even if the world's economic problems were to descend on our doorstep, I'm a firm believer that crisis is the biggest asset for driving creativity. Regional MROs are also highly likely to open engine shops, landing gear facilities and much else besides."

Iain Lachlin, Divisional SVP of Emirates Engineering, added that with 300 million extra passengers likely to fly through the UAE by 2020, 200 new hotels already planned and a 150% increase in airline fleets by 2025 expected, the future was buoyant.

"6.3 billion people already live within 16 hours flying time of Dubai and this will rise to 9 billion by 2050. If just 10% of those people were to fly through the UAE, we estimate that we would need over 550 aircraft to handle the expected 110 million passenger journeys," he explained.

"This would have an obvious knock-on effect for the MRO industry. We also have a young and expanding population to fund growth, 870 new aircraft are already ordered for the Middle East, and loads of new airline entrants have started, or have announced they are about to start!

"Here in the Middle East, we have a competitive edge for a number of reasons. We have ready availability of the new technologies, with a strong emphasis on services and suppliers; we have the aircraft fleets and airport facilities backed up by a supportive government. We are also good at enhancing key partnerships. In addition, the UAE already has three academies dedicated to the industry, which will be crucial to the development and growth of key staff. And this will help us be ready for when the global economy picks up again, as it undoubtedly will."

Phillippe Erni, VP Business Development for the Middle East and India for the world's largest MRO company - SR Technics - concluded by saying that the key drivers for MRO success include local hangar space, a regional workforce and global capital to sustain the needed investment. "It is quite clear that currently there is not enough available MRO capacity in the Middle East," he said.

"800 licensed engineers and 3,000 mechanics are needed for the work force, but we do have a unique opportunity for integration on a global level. The Middle East is in an ideal geographical position to pick up business, but we should focus on key elements of the MRO mix rather than try to do everything. This will involve outsourcing some business but in doing so we will reduce the complexity and this is another way in which international partnerships can be encouraged to flourish."

During the two day show, which ran 21-22nd January 2009, industry leaders discussed a host of pressing topics including the next steps for the region, where air transport is a catalyst for growth, economic development, and job creation. MRO Middle East also hosted an exhibition hall with 100 MRO product and services suppliers, featuring the latest in service and technology.