The new AIME & MRO Middle East edition, which will be held concurrently in Dubai on March 1-2, will feature participation from 20 French aircraft interior and maintenance businesses.
Airlines, MRO centres, equipment manufacturers, suppliers, and investors worldwide will gather at this regional event to enhance the aviation and aircraft manufacturing ecosystem. For two days, the French delegation will benefit from a revitalized sector benefiting from a resurgence in global air traffic, which is expected to exceed pre-pandemic levels as early as 2024, according to IATA.
The aircraft and aviation sector in the Middle East has experienced significant growth over the past decade
The expansion of existing airlines in the Middle East, which are already significant players in the global aviation industry, the emergence of low-cost carriers such as Flydubai, Air Arabia and Flynas, and investments in airport infrastructure with the construction of new airports and the expansion of existing ones, are benefiting the local aviation sector. French aviation companies are well-positioned in the region with continuous investments and collaborations. Airbus and Safran, for example, have been actively involved in close technical cooperation that has brought new capabilities and advances to the local industry.
France is the second largest supplier of aeronautical equipment in a country that owns the most major civil aircraft fleet within the Gulf region. The UAE aeronautical industry is also estimated at EUR47 billion (AED184 billion), with 509 aircraft and accounts for more than 25% of the regional civil MRO market, estimated at more than EUR10 billion (AED40 billion).
One of the most notable aspects of the UAE-France relationship in the aviation sector is the close cooperation between Emirates Airlines and the European aircraft manufacturer Airbus to deliver 80 A350 aircraft in 2022. In addition, Emirates is also renewing and overhauling its fleet of 114 A380 aircraft, 67 of which will undergo cabin refurbishment. The project, estimated to cost several hundred million euros, has contracted the French company Safran to supply the seats for the new cabins. The partnership between Emirates and Airbus has made a decisive contribution in recent years to developing the A380, the world’s largest passenger aircraft, which Emirates operates on its long-haul routes.
French solutions are at the forefront of helping the regional aviation sector adopt new technologies to increase efficiency and improve aircraft manufacturing capabilities
The trend in the United Arab Emirates is toward aircraft customization, whether in engines or interiors. French aircraft and equipment manufacturers have refined this know-how by focusing on innovation: lighter equipment, differentiation through customization, optimal use of space, and In-flight Entertainment & Connectivity systems (IFEC).
The French innovation strategy is expressed in new product development and maintenance methods and technological advances that use artificial intelligence, Big Data, digital simulation, 3D printing and predictive maintenance to optimize aviation. The national strategy aims to develop a ‘CO2-free’ aircraft by 2035, for which EUR1.5 billion will be invested. This is in line with the local aviation sector, which also focuses on sustainability, with airlines and airports investing in environmentally friendly technologies and practices. For example, Dubai International Airport has set a target to become a zero-waste airport by 2030, and Etihad Airways is working to develop sustainable aviation fuels.
Saudi Arabia, which plans to invest 356 billion SAR (100 billion USD) in the aviation sector over ten years, is also a significant source of opportunities for French manufacturers, with the announcement of the new King Salman’s Airport, which is expected to accommodate 120 million passengers by 2030, as well as the information of the new national airline RIA and the order for 100 new aircraft. The kingdom also plans to increase its air cargo capacity to 5 million tons annually. France’s Thales and Saudi Arabian Airlines will partner in 2023 to provide maintenance and support services for the airline’s air navigation systems.
France‘s advanced aerospace industry, its expertise in aircraft manufacturing, and its involvement in the development of aviation infrastructure have been instrumental in supporting the growth of the regional aviation sector. French exhibiting companies at AIME & MRO this year intend to enhance the capabilities of international aviation companies by supplying dedicated IT solutions, air traffic detection and monitoring equipment, innovative solutions for aircraft and engine storage, transition, maintenance, and environmental recycling.
Industry players can interact with experts in aircraft structure and connectivity systems, technical container engineering and GSE, testing and qualification, research and development, cabin interiors and air traffic management to improve passenger safety and experience.
The Middle East aviation industry is experiencing significant growth and innovation, focusing on infrastructure development and investment in new technologies while promoting and exploring sustainable alternatives. The French companies at MRO are coming to provide new solutions to improve efficiency and safety in the industry.
French exhibitors can be discovered in detail on our dedicated website: https://event.businessfrance.fr/aimemromiddleeast2023/