Ahmed bin Saeed opens the Middle East exhibitions for aircraft maintenance, repair and renewal and aircraft interior design
DUBAI, 4 FEBRUARY, WAM / His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, today (Wednesday) opened the activities of the largest session in the history of the Middle East Aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Exhibition and the Middle East Aircraft Interior Design Exhibition 2026, the leading regional event in the after-sales services market for the aviation sector.
The two events will be held over the course of Wednesday and Thursday, February 4 and 5, at the Dubai World Trade Centre, and will bring together global supply chains for the aviation sector, in light of the continuing high regional demand for aircraft maintenance, repair and refurbishment services and cabin design solutions, reflecting the rapid growth of the sector in the region.
The Go Live! Over the two days of the exhibition, the event included a group of sector leaders and experts in dialogue sessions discussing the most prominent topics of the after-sales market.
In a session entitled “Strategic Infrastructure Developments: The Aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Renewal Landscape in the Middle East,” Fraser Currie, CEO of Strategy and Commercial Affairs at DAE, said: “The unprecedented growth that Dubai and the region is witnessing reflects an attractive environment for talent and investments, in light of the UAE’s established approach based on investing in infrastructure and attracting opportunities.”
He added: “The aviation sector is witnessing a remarkable expansion, with Airbus establishing new facilities at Al Maktoum International Airport, and Flydubai developing its own facility, in addition to the move of Emirates Airlines’ hangars to Al Maktoum International Airport by 2030. He stressed that the region provides a supportive and stimulating environment for work and attracting talent, which contributes to this rapid growth, in addition to easy access to some of the fastest growing global markets.”
The first day also witnessed a dialogue session with Stephen Greenway, CEO of flyadeal, during which he reviewed the company’s expansion plans and its approach to taking advantage of supply chain opportunities, in addition to the rapid development of maintenance capabilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in light of the continued expansion of flyadeal as one of the fastest growing low-cost airlines in the Kingdom.
He added: “Low-cost airlines today are moving to strengthen their operational capabilities internally, and Flyadeal is no exception to this. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has invested billions of dollars in establishing a major maintenance facility in Jeddah, which will bring about a major shift in the landscape over the next two years. We are currently implementing self-replacement of engines, which is a practice that low-cost airlines did not adopt 10 or 15 years ago. All of our major contracts with suppliers include local content, whether in maintenance work within the Kingdom or manufacturing spare parts, although The scale of these operations is still in its early stages, but it is likely to grow in the coming years.”
The seventeenth edition of the event witnesses a record participation of exhibitors, with the exhibition expanding to include an additional exhibition hall for the first time, attracting more than 300 exhibitors and about 9,000 visitors. Participants will review the latest innovations in aircraft cabin design, maintenance tools supported by artificial intelligence, robotics, supply chain solutions, ground support equipment and safety technologies, enhancing the region’s position as a global center for aviation services, innovation and investment.
For his part, Andy Fahrrouzi, President and CEO of GMF AeroAega, said: “Participation in the 2026 session represents an important milestone in announcing the expansion of the company’s global presence through the launch of its new facility in the Middle East, stressing that this step comes in direct response to the rapid growth in supporting air fleets in the region, and contributes to accelerating maintenance operations and strengthening the regional aviation system.”
As the commercial fleet in the Middle East continues to grow and the frequency of flights increases, the need for aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul capabilities is increasing at a rapid pace. The Middle East Aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Renewal Exhibition and the Aircraft Interior Design Exhibition highlight this remarkable expansion, as the event activities continue tomorrow at the Dubai World Trade Center, providing an integrated platform for communication, exchange of knowledge, and enhancing cooperation between various parties in the sector.
- For more: Follow Khaleejion 24 Arabic, Khaleejion 24 English, Khaleejion 24 Live, and for social media follow us on Facebook and Twitter
