Key local and regional players attending the Middle East’s premier airline interiors event.
Aircraft Interiors Middle East (AIME), the region’s premier aircraft interiors event, is expecting representatives of up to 100 key airlines to attend when it takes place on 08-09 February at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). Among those confirmed to attend are representatives from Emirates Airline, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways, along with flydubai.
Coming from further afield are Pakistan International Airlines, Royal Air Maroc and Air France. These buyer representatives will be able to meet with many of the event’s 300 exhibitors, allowing them the opportunity to see product demonstrations and forge business relationships.
“AIME has a solid reputation in the industry for being the place to meet airline buyers,” said Michele van Akelijen, Managing Director of show organiser F&E Aerospace. “Our Airline Buyers programme is extremely popular with exhibitors, because it gives them the opportunity to interact with those with purchasing power during the two days of the show.”
It’s a sentiment that is echoed by many of the exhibitors at AIME. Hans Wong, Vice President of Long Prosper, said of AIME 2016, “We meet customers and airline delegates here at AIME that we don’t see anywhere else.” Jeffrey Forsbrey, Senior VP Sales and Marketing at Aviointeriors concurred, “The show is really good for us, we see a lot of airlines, a lot of contacts and do a lot of networking.”
In addition, the airline representatives agree that AIME is the place to meet their suppliers. Ali Al Aradi, IFE Media Manager, Gulf Air, said “The show is very important in this region. It is significant and interesting for us, especially when we manage to meet our targeted suppliers.”
The Aircraft Interiors market is expected to grow from $16.87 billion in 2016 to $29.16 billion by 2021, according to Markets and Markets, while regional airlines have over 500 aircraft on order, almost 80% of which are widebodies.
Indeed, with local behemoth Emirates Airline indicating it may be considering adding another class, premium economy, to its fleet within two years, and large scale aircraft orders outstanding in the region, the demand for interiors options is a reality to buyers, and an opportunity for exhibitors at AIME.
AIME is co-located with MRO Middle East and runs from 08-09 February at DWTC, the eighth running of the annual event. Over 4500 visitors are expected to attend the show to network with the 300 exhibitors in the hall.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
