Airlines and visitors recognising market potential in aircraft interiors
Aircraft Interiors Middle East, the region’s only dedicated aircraft interiors event, has seen a steady growth in attendance from both visitors and airlines in recent years, with global interest from as far afield as Asia and Europe. With interest in the next edition, taking place from 08-09 February 2017, already indicating further increases from around the world, the event is firmly placed as an unmissable event in the aircraft interiors market calendar.
Airlines in particular attend AIME in order to meet with potential suppliers, almost 20% of those attending the 2016 edition represented airlines from the Far East region, while 75% came from the MENA region and the rest included airlines from Europe and the rest of the world, such as Virgin Australia and Air France. With Middle East heavyweights Emirates Airline, Flydubai and Qatar Airways heavily represented next to key players such as Cathay Pacific, Thai Airways and Singapore Airlines plus a plethora of smaller LCCs all meeting with exhibitors during the two day event, exhibitors are keen to maximise their exposure to these potential buyers in 2017.
“We have met some customers and airline delegates here at AIME that we don’t see anywhere else,” said Hans Wong, Vice President of China based Long Prosper, which supplies inflight amenity kits and headphones. Exhibiting for the first time in 2016, the company is returning to the 2017 edition as one of 300 exhibitors in Dubai World Trade Centre.
By 2020, Middle Eastern, Chinese and Indian markets will jointly command 27.3% of global demand for cabin interiors, predicts Frost & Sullivan’s Market Insight Report. Middle East airlines Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad currently have over 500 aircraft on order combined, meaning that potential for new business at AIME cannot be underestimated.
“AIME has steadily grown since its inception in 2008,” says Michele van Akelijen, Managing Director of AIME organisers F&E Aerospace. “In particular, the scope of the show has broadened to attract exhibitors and visitors from around the world, cementing its position as the place for the industry to meet.”
Aircraft Interiors Middle East, co-located with MRO Middle East, takes place from 08-09 February at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).