Rapid growth in the Middle East’s business aviation fleet and rising regional ownership of private jets is spurring the local interior design market, according to the Association of Professional Interior Designers (APID), which represents interiors professionals throughout the Arabian Gulf.
APID President Kenneth Laidler said expansion of the region’s business aviation landscape is opening up aircraft interior opportunities beyond the traditional ‘niche’ practitioners.
“The opportunities are there and it is now up to designers to embark on a learning curve and assimilate the engineering requirements of business jets with aesthetic design to enter this lucrative segment,” said Laidler.
The APID boss was speaking as the Association signed on as an official supporter of the inaugural Aircraft Interiors Middle East (AIME) exhibition, which is planned for Airport Expo Dubai this June. AIME, a dedicated B2B exhibition serving the aircraft interiors sector, has been introduced by Fairs & Exhibitions (F&E), the name behind the Dubai Airshow.
“It is important APID is associated with this event as the market is, and will continue to, open up to more conventional designers,” said Laidler. “At present, not many designers are specialised in aircraft interior design as this has primarily been a closed market with a handful of contracts going to a few companies. However, as more people own their aircraft and the business aviation fleet grows, we will see more contracts up for grabs, which will spur the industry to sit up and take notice.
“With smaller aircraft, customers are more focused on ergonomics, ambience and luxury as opposed to the big aircraft operators. This desire for quality is encouraging more conventional interior design processes and materials, such as wood, to be used in private aircraft. These trends follow design styles seen more in five-star hotels and luxury yachts – areas which conventional designers are very skilled in.
“This is also being applied on a much larger scale as seen by Prince Al-Walid bin Talal’s purchase of his A380 Sky Palace at the Dubai Airshow. Many of the interiors for this are being designed by conventional companies.”
APID’s backing of the AIME event comes as business aviation in the Middle East is achieving a 40% compound annual growth rate in terms of aircraft movement with analysts forecasting the region’s business aviation fleet will double to 600 aircraft over the next five years.
“APID is an important partner as we move into the aircraft interiors segment,” said Alison Weller, Director Aerospace, F&E. “By engaging interior designers within the region we are providing them with an educational opportunity to advance their own skills and business opportunities while delivering to exhibitors an influential audience of future specifiers.”
AIME, which will run on June 16 and 17 2008, will focus on aircraft and VIP interiors, airline cabin systems and in-flight entertainment. Its exhibitor profile spans design, seating, textiles, finishes, lighting, flooring, galleys and galley equipment, waste management, safety equipment, power supply, lavatory products, laminates, food service equipment, upgrades, replacement parts, cabin systems integration, touch screens, seat interfaces, food products, comfort products, amenity kits, refrigeration, completion centres, security products, biometrics, cockpit doors, medical equipment, air quality products, catering facilities and electrical systems.
The exhibition is being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Government of Dubai and President and CEO of the Emirates Group.
To date, 50 exhibitors from 12 countries have signed on for AIME.
About Fairs & Exhibitions' Aerospace Division:
Fairs & Exhibitions (F&E) is one of the most influential names in the aerospace industry's events sector having conceptualized the Dubai Airshow and organised it, in conjunction with the Department of Civil Aviation, Government of Dubai and in collaboration with the UAE Armed Forces, since its inception in 1989.
F&E, which maintains offices in London and Dubai, has widespread and long-standing relationships with the global aerospace industry, an in-depth knowledge of the industry it serves and a hard-earned reputation for delivering event excellence.
The company also organises the Middle East Business Aviation (MEBA) conference and exhibition on behalf of the Middle East Business Aviation Association. MEBA is now a biennial event with the 2008 edition scheduled for November next year.
Aircraft Interiors Middle East (AIME) is a new event emerging from F&E's dedicated Aerospace Division. It will be held at the Airport Expo Dubai in June 2008 and will service the region's rapidly developing commercial and business aviation fleets.
Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Middle East Exhibition & Conference is another event from F&E's growing aerospace portfolio. It is being organised in conjunction with AVIATION WEEK, which has an excellent track record of organising MRO events. The inaugural event will be held in the beginning of 2009 to cater to growing regional demand for MRO services.
Aerospace Training & Recruitment (ATR) is the latest event from F&E’s aerospace portfolio. Predominantly a conference with a supporting exhibition, ATR will debut at the Airport Expo Dubai in March 2009. The event is dedicated to growing Middle East demand for aerospace training, recruitment and simulation.
About Fairs & Exhibitions (F&E):
F&E has been delivering world class events for 50 years. The company now creates and organises international trade events for business and consumers from all over the world. Since the mid 1970s the company has focused on events in the rapidly developing West Asia and Middle East, specifically the Gulf region in Dubai, UAE, one of today's most vibrant trading zones with the world's fastest growing economy.
F&E's strengths, skills and experience are in sales, marketing, event management, venue development and public relations. The company prioritises quality, value and excellence for all its shows, delivering genuine and cost-effective business opportunities for its clients.
The Executive Board of F&E has over 100 years combined experience in the business of creating, launching and organising events and enjoys the close support of many government bodies, trade associations and leading business organisations, as well as the countless number of companies F&E has helped promote and sell their products.
The company is now evolving through a period of growth and development to broaden its portfolio and further strengthen its team of highly-skilled individuals. It remains one of the most influential event organisers of its generation.
With offices in Dubai and the UK, the company has an expanding team of skilled and dedicated exhibition professionals, with an additional established international network of sales agents and associates.
F&E recently became a member of the Tarsus Group plc which was founded, and listed on the London Stock Exchange, in 1998. With offices in the UK (London), USA (Milwaukee), France (Paris), Germany (Dûsseldorf) and China (Shanghai), the international business-to-business media group has interests in exhibitions, conferences, publishing and online media.
