A total of 20 companies from the French aircraft interior and maintenance sector will participate in the new edition of AIME & MRO Middle East, which will be held simultaneously in Dubai on March 1-2.

Airlines, MRO centres, equipment manufacturers, suppliers, and investors from around the world will gather at this leading regional event to enhance the aviation and aircraft manufacturing ecosystem.

For two days, the French delegation will benefit from a revitalized sector, that is benefiting from a resurgence in global air traffic, which is expected to exceed pre-pandemic levels as early as 2024, according to IATA. .

The expansion of existing airlines in the Middle East, which are already major 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.

With continuous investments and collaborations, French aviation companies are well positioned in the region. 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 to the UAE. 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, for the delivery of 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. It is fair to say that the partnership between Emirates and Airbus has made a decisive contribution in recent years to the development of the A380, the world's largest passenger aircraft, which Emirates operates on its long-haul routes.

The trend in the UAE 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, In-flight Entertainment & Connectivity systems (IFEC) to name a few.

The French innovation strategy is expressed in new product development and maintenance methods, as well as 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 is also focusing 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 SR356 billion ($100 billion) in the aviation sector over a ten-year period, is also a major 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 announcement 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 per year. France's Thales and Saudi Arabian Airlines will partner in 2023 to provide maintenance and support services for the airline's air navigation systems.

French exhibiting companies at AIME & MRO this year intend to enhance capabilities of international aviation companies by supplying dedicated IT solutions, as well as 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.

Overall, the Middle East aviation industry is experiencing significant growth and innovation, with a focus on infrastructure development, 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. – TradeArabia News Service