MRO show to study costs increases in maintenance as regional fleet grows

Aircraft maintenance costs are set to more than double over the next decade with major fleet increases in the region, driving impetus to this year's MRO Middle East, the third edition of the successful aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul conference and exhibition, produced by F&E Aerospace and Aviation Week.

Running from 1 to 2 February 2011 at Dubai’s Airport Expo, MRO Middle East will address the pressing need for more maintenance facilities and manpower in the region, plus strategies for success in a world of dramatic growth, the theme of this year’s conference.

Middle East airline fleets will grow by almost 50 percent over the next decade, to some 1,700 aircraft, which will increase the cost of aircraft maintenance by more than double, according to David Stewart of aviation consulting firm AeroStrategy, and one of the principal speakers at the conference.

“The Middle East region has an enormous order book for new aircraft, especially for the Airbus A380 and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which are due to be delivered over the next decade, generating a corresponding MRO spend from US$2.3 billion in 2010 to US$4.8 billion by 2019, an annual growth rate of 8.3 percent.”

Given the nature of the fleet – age and focus on twin-aisle aircraft – strong growth will be seen, especially in engine and modification spend, an annual 10 percent increase in both areas, he added.

Michele Van Akelijen, Event Director at F&E Aerospace, said: “This MRO spend is significantly higher than the global average of three to four percent, which will require a serious commitment by MRO suppliers and airlines to invest in facilities and manpower training in the region in the immediate future, in order to meet the challenge of maintaining their fleets to optimum operating capability under the industry’s strict maintenance and safety regulations.

“Addressing the issues involved and seeking solutions will ensure that this is one conference that airlines in this region cannot afford to miss.”

More than 100 companies will be showcasing their products and services at the exhibition running alongside the conference, including Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies (ADAT), Boeing, Lufthansa Technik, Goodrich, Pratt & Whitney and Rockwell Collins.

“Increased demand for new and aging aircraft means the MRO industry is growing worldwide and, as you can see from these statistics, this is especially true in the Middle East,” said Lydia Janow, Director of Conferences & Exhibitions for Aviation Week. “Our MRO Conferences & Exhibitions in the Middle East, Europe, Asia and the Americas have seen exponential growth over the past decade, and we expect this upward trend to continue. Aviation Week is dedicated to bringing the best educational content, workshops and hands-on forums to the global MRO industry, which is why we partner with F&E Aerospace for MRO Middle East. They are a renowned leader in producing top-notch aviation events in the Middle East.”

MRO Middle East is produced by F&E Aerospace and Aviation Week. Gold sponsors are Chromalloy and HEICO. Silver sponsors include Airbus, Goodrich, Lufthansa Technik, and Pratt & Whitney. Titanium sponsors are Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies and SR Technics. The event is supported by the Association of European Airlines, the Air Transport Association, the International Air Transport Association, and the Middle East Aerospace Consortium, and with media support from Arabian Aerospace, Asian Aviation, Aviation Week & Space Technology, and Overhaul & Maintenance.
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