Aviation

Video: Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central is hosting its first major aviation event - MEBA 2012, which is aimed at the growing business aviation sector. Phil Blizzard reports on the Middle East Business Aviation show which has attracted exhibitors from across the world and a fleet of world class business jets.

Video: The bi-annual Helishow made its debut at the Meydan Racecourse after moving from its previous home at the Airport Expo. Phil Blizzard reports from the event which was held alongside the famous racetrack, better known for racing thoroughbreds rather than aircraft, as the venue broadens its offerings to the MICE industry.

Video: The recently opened Khalifa Port, Abu Dhabi is a key hub in the emirates rapidly developing transport infrastructure and will be a key facility in the global shipping and logistic network. At the 7th MEED Abu Dhabi Conference Phil BLizzard talks to Capt. Abdulkareem Al Masab, VP, Khalifa Port Operations, Abu Dhabi Ports Company about this gigantic project and also the future of Mina Zayed, in the heart of Abu Dhabi.

Video: Qatar Airways is the first Middle East carrier to receive the 'state of the art' Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Phil Blizzard reports on the reveal of the aircraft at the Farnborough Airshow which was conducted by Akbar al Baker, CEO, Qatar Airways. Step on board to view the interior of the aircraft and from the ground watch the aircraft take part in the flying display - a first for a Boeing aircraft in the livery of a commercial carrier. Whilst Akbar al Baker talks of the 'courage and stamina' in running an airline.

Video: The private aviation sector in the Middle East has been growing at a rate of 10 to 12% in the past 5 years, with a slight down turn in 2011. Ali Al Naqbi, Founding Chairman, Middle East Business Aviation talks to Phil Blizzard about the key growth areas and also about the negative impact of 'grey' aviation operators.

Video: Following their best ever year Abu Dhabi based Royal Jet is seeing significant growth in 2012, with a record breaking Q1. Shane O'Hare, President & CEO, Royal Jet talks to Phil Blizzard about their progress to date and the sectors which contributed to 15% growth in Q1. He also talks about the successful medi-vac of Chinese workers in Africa and the challenges facing the co-existence of private and commercial aviation.

Video: The airline industry in the Middle East will require more than 2500 new aircraft in the next 20 years says Jeff Johnson, President, Boeing Middle East. With more than 140 Boeing 787 Dreamliners booked by carriers in the region he tells Phil Blizzard that strong partnerships with suppliers is key to delivery. He also talks about 'the colourful leaders' of airlines in this region and gives some indication to what can be expected from Boeing in 2020.

The goal of Abu Dhabi based Mubadala is to become a key global player in the aerospace industry. At the debut Global Aerospace Summit in Abu Dhabi Phil Blizzard sits with Homaid Al Shemmari, Executive Director, Mubadala Aerospace to talk about their strategy to facilitate a global aerospace industry in the UAE capital. Homaid also talks about the supply chain mechanisms and what they can offer aerospace OEMs.

Lufthansa Technik are expanding their Dubai sales operations to include repair facilities, as well as a pool for spare parts. Zaid Faisal Al Hazmi, GM, MEA, Lufthansa Technik talks to Phil Blizzard about the expansion of their services in Dubai and how their client base has grown from established carriers and now includes low cost airlines and cargo operators.

The ability to react and be agile in these changing times are strong characteristics of those airlines which are performing well says Toby Stokes, Aviation Leader EMEIA Region, Ernst & Young. Talking to Phil Blizzard at the Aviation Outlook MENA conference he provides an overview of the market for low cost carriers, the establishment of long haul carriers and the importance embracing social networking to drive success.

Al Bateen Airport in the heart of Abu Dhabi is becoming a favourite stop over for celebrities and business high flyers with private jets. At the debut Abu Dhabi Air Expo Phil Blizzard talks to Stephen Jones, GM, Al Bateen Executive Airport about the facilities and development of the regions only airport dedicated to executive aviation. He also talks about the benefits of using Al Bateen Executive Airport for major events like the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix.

An insight into the maintenance of the giant Airbus A380 from the perspective of Lufthansa Technik and their facilities in Germany for not only the Lufthansa fleet, but also other operators. Phil Blizzard talks to Dean Raineri, Director Aircraft Maintenance Set Up, Lufthansa Technik, who said they are not concerned about the issue of small cracks in the wings of the giant passenger aircraft.

Lufthansa Technik, a global leader in providing MRO facilities to the aviation sector has been steadily growing its operations in the Middle East. Walter Heerdt, Snr VP Marketing & Sales, Lufthansa Technik talks to Phil Blizzard about the services they provide to Middle East aircraft operators and, despite the global economic downturn, the regional business success in 2011. He also talks about trends for the MRO sector as fleets recieve new and more efficient aircraft.

Gulf Air which was set up on 1960 has evolved from being a multi-state owned organisation to one which is now owned solely by the Kingdom of Bahrain. We look at the 60 year, plus, heritage of the airline with Jamal A R Hashim, Director Engineering & Airworthiness, Gulf Air who talks to Phil Blizzard about current developments and their strategy on becoming the largest regional carrier in the GCC.

Dubai World Central handled 89,729 tonnes of airfreight during its first full calendar year of operations. Opened in June 2010 to cargo oeprations, Al Maktoum International Airport forms an integrated hub with the JAFZ and port. In this report Phil Blizzard talks with Paul Griffiths, CEO, Dubai Airports about the growth of airfreight at DWC and the positioning of Dubai Airports. Anita Mehra, VP, Marketing & Corporate Communications talks about the migration of passengers to DWC, which is likely to be towards the end of the decade.