Airshows world over have grown to be extremely central and significant features of the aviation industry. Not only do the airshows provide platforms for showcasing the most exciting technologies of the sector but also become a one-stop hub for all the major announcements, deals, displays and discussions that pave way for the aviation activities in the future.

One such prominent show around the corner is the Dubai Airshow. Born in 1986 as Arab Air, the Dubai Airshow has evolved to be regarded among the largest and the most important aerospace events across the globe. With the turn of the century, a lot has changed especially in the aviation industry and airshows like the Dubai Airshow have directed this change by facilitating optimum exhibits of the latest as well as the most promising products and technologies in military, general and commercial aviation.

2017’s Dubai Airshow was hailed as Dubai’s biggest show ever with 1,200 exhibitors from 63 countries, more than 79,380 trade visitors, 159 Aircraft on display, 1,603 international and regional media and an order book of $113.8 billion.

As the biennial show returns to DWC, Dubai Airshow Site this year from November 17-21, leading aerospace companies are expected to make use of the platform to introduce and exhibit their latest innovations. Building on the success of the last event, this year the show will allow visitors to join over 87,000 attendees from around the world, glance through products and solutions being showcased from around 1,300 exhibitors and witness as many as 165 aircraft on display.

The event that boasts a dedication to connecting people is an ideal opportunity to strengthen one’s industry knowledge with a variety of dedicated feature areas and conferences, and at the same time witness a world class flying display while networking with industry influencers.

“The Dubai Airshow is strategically the most important aerospace exhibition for the UAE Armed Forces. Every two years when the event takes place, the UAE Armed Forces has the opportunity to interact with potential and existing suppliers discover new technology and equipment, and network with key industry players from around the world. In addition to this, UAE Armed Forces uses the Dubai Airshow as a platform to bring together military delegations from around the world to demonstrate what the UAE is capable of and to exchange information and learn from each other,” His Excellency Staff Major General Pilot Abdulla Al Hashmi, Assistant Undersecretary for Support Services, UAE Ministry of Defence said with respect to the upcoming airshow.

MIDDLE EASTERN AVIATION

Upheld by a natural strategic location and consistent efforts from operators as well as the governments to nurture the market, The Middle East has been soaring in the aerospace industry over the last two decades. While traditional markets are fluctuating, the Middle East is continuously seeing strong growth across all aerospace sectors as local companies expand and increase their global footprint, and multinational companies continue to pivot their focus towards this region. Additionally, this is an exciting point for the aerospace industry globally and generally as well with the advent of new technologies which are further creating opportunities for the industrial transformation that can change into tangible cost savings and growth. All of this makes the upcoming airshow a perfect platform for the industry.

Over the years, the Dubai Airshow has stood out and garnered the distinction of presenting all aspects of the aerospace industry. Be it civil aviation, manufacturers and business aviation or defence and the entire supply chain, the airshow leaves no part about aviation untouched and includes the key players of the industry like Airbus, Gulfstream, Lockheed Martin, Honeywell Aerospace and Rolls-Royce as well as the focused niche companies. The Dubai Airshow 2019 is set with a promise to be no different and continue the legacy by bringing commercial aviation, business aviation, the cargo sector, defence, space and an astounding display of aircraft all together in one arena.

FEATURE AREAS

The 2019 Dubai Airshow edition will host many dedicated feature areas and conferences that will touch upon the much necessary subjects of aviation. Each conference is scheduled to address specific sector technologies, touching upon the current scenarios as well as the upcoming possibilities. Some of these include:

Airline CXO Summit. This inaugural one-day conference will be one of the most important meetings of commercial airlines and decision-makers from all over the world. All the leading personalities from airlines, air traffic management, regulators, associations and equipment manufacturers are expected to attend the conference, creating a chance to network and debate the industry’s most critical issues and challenges.

Cargo Connect. Exhibiting international developments in the next generation freight, automation, and digital cargo, Cargo Connect will bring together the global cargo community. According to market insights shared prior to the airshow, it is estimated that next year cargo will create revenues of over $116 billion, more than 13 per cent of airline revenues. E-Commerce is also continuously boosting air cargo demand. This will be Cargo Connect’s third installment at the show. To discuss the latest trends and transportation solutions of the sector, the conference is expected to bring together experts from some of the biggest names in the industry like Dubai Airports, Emirates SkyCargo, FedEx and Etihad.

GATM (Global Air Traffic Management). Presenting a discussion on air traffic control (ATC) in the UAE (United Arab Emirates), the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) and globally, GATM is among the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region’s leading meeting place for the entire ATC ecosystem to network, learn and discuss innovative solutions accelerating the industry.

Space Pavilion, Women in Space and Tech Talks. Themed around Space 4.0: The New Era, the Space Pavilion returns to the Dubai Airshow to showcase the technological innovations driving the commercial space revolution and future space missions. Produced in collaboration with the UAE Space Agency, will host two free to attend conferences, Women in Space and Tech Talks. Leaders at the forefront of the tech sector will be seen at the pavilion as they unveil advancements in rocket technology, space debris, CubeSat quality improvement, satellite communication, and cybersecurity. The future of flight is another significant and awaited discussion at the Space Conference and Pavilion.

Smart Manufacturing. Being at the center of all special features at the airshow this year, Smart manufacturing will bring together key stakeholders to examine the additive manufacturing applications, big data processing capabilities, industrial connectivity devices and services, artificial intelligence, and advanced robotics that are revolutionising the aerospace industries within Space, Cargo, Airport Solutions and Air Traffic Management.

INSIGHT INTO THE FUTURE

Through it various market insight reports, the Dubai Airshow has well highlighted the crucial topics of the industry and more action is expected on the same to channelize the future of the industry. While various trends and opportunities are sure to be highlighted in the show, the demands and the needs of the future will be well addressed as well.

The global market situation is resulting in clear technology trends, across the whole of aerospace to anticipate and combat the changes. The next 10 years may well be the decade of the unmanned aerial system (UAS) as this segment of the aerospace industry grows at an exponential rate.

The next 10 years may well be the decade of the unmanned aerial system as this segment of the aerospace industry grows at an exponential rate

The aerospace industry has also taken proactive and bold steps to dramatically reduce emissions by 2050 as the industry works on three pillars to attain the goal: emissions reporting, emissions mitigation, and emissions offsetting. In fact, through the ICAO-led programme, CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation), the global industry has committed to reducing international flight emissions to 50 per cent of the levels experienced in 2005. Tracking emissions to ensure sustainable growth will also be a discussion under the spotlight during the show.

In June, Dubai Airports Engineering projects (DAEP), announced ambitious plans for Al Maktoum International to become a ‘cosmic super-port’ handling hypersonic and space aircraft in the future, as part of its Dubai 10X initiative. The project aims at becoming the premier hub for future travel by becoming an ‘aerotropolis’ and then a ‘cosmotropolis’ with the region’s first spaceport and launch site.

WHAT ELSE TO EXPECT?

As mentioned above, the Dubai Airshow is among the largest aerospace events in the Middle East for it brings together key players from all aspects of the industry, including the leading helicopter companies from the world. Visitors have a chance to witness presentations from the Helicopter Company, alongside Bell, Sikorsky (a Lockheed Martin Company), Leonardo, the Russian Helicopter Company and many others.

• The event will be a blend of first time exhibitors as S&K Technologies from the USA and Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence from Italy as well as the industry giants including Rolls-Royce, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Airbus Corporate Jets, Textron, Dassault Aviation, etc.
• It has been observed that many of the major manufacturers prefer revealing their biggest announcements during airshows. Many such new launches, tie-ups and surprises are expected from the Dubai Airshow 2019 too.
• Some of the keynote speakers at the show include Jean- Yves Le Gall, President, Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES); Arfan Chaudhry, Head of International Policy, UK Space Agency; Dr. Eng. Mohammed Nasser Al Ahbabi, Director-General of the UAE Space Agency and Apollo 15 Command Module Pilot Col. Al Worden, USAF-Ret, among others.
• With exhibitors like DEPO from Pakistan, INETEC from Croatia and Pattonair from the UK, Saudi Arabia, etc. it is literally a global presence at the show.
• The Dubai Airshow’s signature Delegations Programme is back too. Military and civil delegations from across the world are invited to participate in the programme. In 2017, the show hosted 279 delegations from 76 countries around the world.

LUFTHANSA TECHNIK EXHIBITS AT THE DUBAI AIRSHOW 2019

With some 35 subsidiaries and affiliates, the Lufthansa Technik Group is one of the leading providers of technical aircraft services in the world. Globally certified as maintenance, production and design organisation, the company’s portfolio covers the entire range of services for commercial and VIP/special mission aircraft, engines, components and landing gear in the areas of digital fleet support, maintenance, repair, overhaul, modification, completion and conversion as well as the manufacture of innovative cabin products.

The company is utilising the 2019 Dubai Airshow with the following main exhibition topics at their booth under its VIP & Special Mission Aircraft division and the commercial aviation and MRO division.

VIP & SPECIAL MISSION AIRCRAFT DIVISION WILL SHOWCASE THE FOLLOWING

• VIP Cabin concept SkyRetreat envisioned for the Airbus A220. The design study for this cabin envisions a minimalistic approach based on natural materials and offers an open, versatile place. The centerpiece of the concept is the Observation Deck that for the first time in VIP aviation extends the passenger cabin seamlessly into the aircraft´s flight deck – allowing all occupants to enjoy unprecedented and totally immersive views of new horizons. From smart touch surfaces and a distinctive lighting concept to an open deck with a centre buffet as the main element, the latest high end technologies are discreetly integrated into the cabin’s design.
• VIP Cabin concepts for the Airbus A350. How about a personal spa above the clouds? Lufthansa Technik’s A350 VIP design is an innovative approach to break up the constraints in cabin interior design, and enable the passenger to set personal standards in the way he/she flies. The multi-functional and flexible cabin’s open-plan architecture and amenities create a setting that invites the customer to indulge in fresh cooking, a family dinner served at a generous table, great conversations, kids playing and media entertainment of any kind on an extra-wide screen.
• Lufthansa Technik’s local cooperation with DC Aviation. Lufthansa Technik had received the approval from the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for maintenance services on aircraft registered in Saudi Arabia. With regards to this, Omar Aker, Lufthansa Technik’s Regional Sales Manager stated: “We are only the second VIP MRO supplier in the Gulf region approved for Saudi registered aircraft of the Airbus A320CJ family and Boeing BBJ types. We welcome the opportunity to further increase our service level for providing comprehensive maintenance solutions and modifications.”

COMMERCIAL AVIATION AND MRO – THE FOLLOWING WILL BE ON DISPLAY

• Digitalisation and latest developments in our AVIATAR tool suite. With the continued customer-focused expansion of the independent digital platform AVIATAR , Lufthansa Technik has further integrated the possibilities of digitalization with proven maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services with automated processes for engine washing, health management and failure prediction, ensuring higher reliability, lower maintenance costs and avoidance of passenger compensation payments.
• Mobile Engine Services’ Virtual Reality. Virtual reality showcases on our Mobile Engine Services that aim to keep engines flying for as long as possible with some of the fastest and the most cost-efficient solutions in your vicinity to avoid time-consuming full load shop visits will also be a part of the exhibition at the airshow.
• Increasing our local footprint. In order to meet growing customer demands, Lufthansa Technik Middle East has doubled the size of its facility and added new services to its portfolio, profiting from the steadily expanding aviation market in the Gulf region.