February 22 2022  |  Events

Video Clip: AIME & MRO 2022 day one highlights

By Jane Hobson


AIME & MRO 2022 Day One highlights

Day one of AIME (Aircraft Interiors Middle East) and MRO 2022 has officially wrapped up at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The first day included the Exhibition Hall open, opening remarks from Hannah Bonnett, Events Content Director at MRO and Aviation Week Network and a number of discussions, panels and presentations.

Hundreds of exhibitors are in attendance from international locations, such as France, Germany, Jordan, United States, Brazil and Canada.

An image from the AIME 2022 event open on February 22, 2022. Credit: @AIMiddleEast Twitter

An image from the Exhibition Hall at AIME 2022. Credit: @AIMiddleEast Twitter

The event offers lots of networking opportunities for interiors suppliers, providers, and buyers to establish in the Middle East and Africa. Credit: @AIMiddleEast Twitter


Exhibitors travel from international locations for the opportunities presented at AIME 2022. Credit: @AIMiddleEast Twitter

The first session, MRO: Forecast - Key Trends and Topics for the Region featured speaker Brian Kough, Senior Director, Forecast and Aerospace Insights at Aviation Week Network. Kough discussed the regional trends, future demand, facts and figures vital to businesses. He touched on the continuing impact of COVID-19 on the market, and gave a presentation on the in-service fleet, new deliveries, retirements and analysis on MRO demand.


International exhibitors are gathered at the Dubai World Trade Centre for AIME 2022, running February 22 to 23, 2022. Credit: @AIMiddleEast Twitter

In the next session, AIME Preparing for the most transformative customer group - Future Traveler, speaker Orkun Altinas, Director Consulting - Aerospace & Defense at Frost & Sullivan, discussed how to meet the inflight expectations of truly digital, convenience-driven customers.

The day progressed with the MRO: Leaders Panel. Regional leaders from Lufthansa Technik Middle East, Joramco, SAEI and Etihad Airways shared how they have ramped up their teams and operations and where they are in the recovery phase. The session was moderated by LeeAnn Shay, Executive Editor, Business Aviation and MRO at Aviation Week Network. Speakers included Ziad Al-Hazmi, CEO, Lufthansa Technik Middle East; Fraser Currie, CEO, Joramco; Fahd H. Cynndy, CEO at SAEI; and, Frederic Dupon, VP Technical Sales and Customer Service, Etihad Airways.


AIME runs February 22 to 23, 2022, providing a platform for interiors suppliers, providers, and buyers to establish new relationships in the Middle East and Africa. Credit: @AIMiddleEast Twitter

The panel explored the state of the regional landscape for lessors and the state of the leasing market. Participants addressed how market leaders in the region are working with partners and customers in 2022, and how proactive regulators are being to support industry.

To go with the Sustainability and the Future theme of the discussions, the next session hosted by Shay focused on environmental mandates. The Steps to sustainability panel had four speakers: Ram Mulik, Regional General Manager, Customer & Product Support for Middle East and Africa, GE Aviation; Henrik Schlotfeldt, Managing Director at ST Engineering Aerospace Solutions; Jason Sutcliffe, Regional Marketing Director – EMEA for Rolls Royce; and Sonia Dumas, Head of Services Marketing, Airbus.

The panelists discussed the effect of environmental mandates on operations and managing costs. The conversation touched on electric and hydrogen power in relation to MRO, and what the future might hold after 2030.


A photo of the MRO: Leaders Panel, moderated by LeeAnn Shay, Executive Editor, Business Aviation and MRO at Aviation Week Network. Speakers included Ziad Al-Hazmi, CEO, Lufthansa Technik Middle East; Fraser Currie, CEO, Joramco; Fahd H. Cynndy, CEO at SAEI; and, Frederic Dupon, VP Technical Sales and Customer Service, Etihad Airways. Credit: @AIMiddleEast Twitter

In AIME Presentation: Reducing flight emissions with sustainable interiors, speaker Peter Azzouni, Aicraft Interiors, Guest Experience, Brand & Marketing for Etihad, shared how reducing aircraft weight and emissions comes hand-in-hand, exploring some interiors innovations that help lighten the load.

The afternoon's AIME Panel Discussion: Operational collaboration with aircraft connectivity, hosted by Sam Chui, Aviation Blogger, SamChui.com, addressed that collaboration between the connectivity value chain is required to ensure fast, stable connectivity secure from infiltration.

Speakers Naveed Khan, Manager Aircraft Cabin Maintenance, Emirates; Nina Schulz, Managing Director at Independent Aircraft Modifier Alliance; and Andrii Kusyi, Technical Manager Cabin Operations for Wizz Air, explored technologies spearing innovation and how a connected aircraft can be Air Traffic Control safer, increase productivity for pilots and enhance entertainment for passengers.

A photo of the AIME Panel Discussion: Operational collaboration with aircraft connectivity, hosted by Sam Chui, Aviation Blogger, SamChui.com, with speakers Naveed Khan, Manager Aircraft Cabin Maintenance, Emirates; Nina Schulz, Managing Director at Independent Aircraft Modifier Alliance; and Andrii Kusyi, Technical Manager Cabin Operations for Wizz Air. Credit: @AIMiddleEast Twitter

Day one closed with two MRO segments: Insights from regional MROs and The Operator Perspective.

The first looked at how MROs have had to adapt and what capabilities they have gained in the last two years. James Pozzi, MRO Editor EMEA, Aviation Week Network, was the moderator. The panel was made up of Yalcin Aydin, CCO at Turkish Technic; David Doherty, Head of MRO Sales, Etihad Engineering; Caroline Vandedrinck, SVP Business Development, SR Technics; and, Mohamed Samir Ibrahim, General Planning Director, Egyptair Maintenance and Engineering.


The AIME Panel Discussion moderated by Sam Chui with speakers Naveed Khan, Andrii Kuysi and Nina Schulz kicked off at full capacity. Credit: @AIMiddleEast Twitter

The latter focused on how airlines and MROs have tried to standardize and increase their operational and IT systems for the future. Pozzi moderated the panel which included Raghed Al Kaasamani, Head of Engineering, Jazeera Airways; Husham Osman, Director, Technical, Royal Jet; and, Andrew Holder, Deputy Director Heavy Maintenance & PAML Group 145 Accountable Manager, Ryanair.

The discussion addressed how airline strategies have changed, outsourcing, and how the pandemic impacted OEM support to operators.

Day two kicks off February 23 at 10:00 a.m. Gulf Standard Time with the Exhibition Hall open followed by a morning of Focus Sessions and an afternoon of panel discussions and presentations on theme of Digital Trends and New Technology.

The event runs February 22 to 23, 2022, providing a platform for interiors suppliers, providers, and buyers to establish new relationships in the Middle East and Africa. PAX Tech is a proud Media Partner for AIME 2022.

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