The inaugural edition of the Abu Dhabi Aviation and Aerospace Week (ADAAW) is set to run from March 6 to 12, 2016, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
The event will run concurrently in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain converging six trade, defence, entertainment, and sports components under its umbrella. Set to become a biennial fixture in Abu Dhabi’s calendar of events, ADAAW is anticipated to attract a constellation of decision makers and international experts from the aviation and aerospace industry, along with a significant number of trade visitors and the general public.
The must-attend event for the global aviation and aerospace sector, which is sponsored by Etihad Airways, the UAE’s national airline, will include the second Unmanned System Exhibition (UMEX Abu Dhabi), first Simulation Conference and Exhibition, third Global Aerospace Summit, and fourth edition of the Abu Dhabi Air Expo, as well as the first edition of the Middle East Aviation Career Exhibition & Conference and the eighth Red Bull Air Race.
A number of leading Abu Dhabi-based entities including Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC), Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), Mubadala Development Company, Abu Dhabi Airports, and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council will join hands in organising ADAAW.
The event will seek to boost the status of Abu Dhabi as a leading global hub of aviation and aerospace, business tourism and specialised fairs and events in the field of aerospace and aviation. Abu Dhabi has successfully established a unique economic model through developing a number of promising sectors identified by Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, among which aviation and aerospace feature as a key pillar.
Brigadier General, Rashid Mohammed Al-Shamsi, spokesperson for the UAE Armed Forces, said: "Our support to Abu Dhabi Aviation and Aerospace Week articulates the Armed Forces’ priority in creating a dedicated platform to converge international manufacturers and specialised companies participating in global aviation and aerospace exhibitions and conferences.
“Bringing specialised events such as UMEX Abu Dhabi and Simulation Conference and Exhibition under ADAAW’s umbrella will provide the UAE Armed Forces with an excellent opportunity to explore and acquire the latest technologies in unmanned systems and simulation techniques. We look forward to utilising the full potential of unmanned systems and their future applications in optimising civil, defence and security aspects by attending the live demonstrations to be hosted by Al Ain. Additionally, the platform will offer an excellent opportunity to expand our collaboration and strategic partnership with related industry partners.”
His Excellency Jasem Mohamed Al Darmaki, Acting Director General of TCA Abu Dhabi, said: "Abu Dhabi Aviation and Aerospace Week will serve as an ideal opportunity for participants to explore the emirate’s various tourist attractions, and gain insight into its vision for the tourism sector.
“In convening all these diverse activities, shows and associated events under a single platform, participants will be able to debate a wide range of topics related to the aerospace industry and work together on new avenues of regional and international collaboration in the industry.”
For his part, Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Acting Group CEO of Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company, said: "The launch of Abu Dhabi Aviation and Aerospace Week is the outcome of close collaboration between many national organisations that strive to showcase Abu Dhabi’s achievements in aviation and aerospace industries.
“The key objective of hosting Abu Dhabi Aviation and Aerospace Week is to spark confidence in Abu Dhabi’s aviation sector and increase the number of exhibitions and international conferences hosted by Abu Dhabi.”
“Over the next few weeks, we will actively promote the event on a global scale to attract and encourage major international companies to participate in this platform and showcase the latest innovations and technologies in industries affiliated to aviation and aerospace,” Al Dhaheri added.
Eng. Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazroui, CEO, Abu Dhabi Airports, said: "The Abu Dhabi Aviation and Aerospace Week is an excellent opportunity for us to showcase Abu Dhabi Airports’ latest developments in the aviation industry, as well as the continued progress we have made in the development of airports under our management. Apart from contributing to the realisation of Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, the event will help us cope with the robust growth in the tourism sector, which is driven by the increasing connectivity of our international airport with a network of airports around the world, through our national carrier Etihad Airways.”
Al Mazroui added: “Abu Dhabi Airports is geared up to provide all kinds of technical and logistical support for the Abu Dhabi Aviation and Aerospace Week and its associate exhibitions and conference. The success of the event will earn the emirate the much coveted position of being the Middle East’s aerospace industry capital. It will also enable us to compete strongly in the global aviation market due to Abu Dhabi’s huge potential and sophisticated infrastructure that is capable of catering to both current and future needs of this vital sector.
Aarif Hamad Al-Awani, General Secretary, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: “We are happy to organise the eighth Red Bull Air Race under the umbrella of ADAAW. The event that will take place in the Abu Dhabi Corniche area will include a series of exciting races full of adventure and thrill. This race brings together the best pilots from around the world to compete in speed, skill and precision. It will be viewed by thousands on site and by millions through TV and media.”
Al-Awani added: “This event is one of the most anticipated by lovers air races and adventure fans. Organising this competition comes in line with our continuous efforts to consolidate the stature of Abu Dhabi as an international destination for sports and competitions.”
From 6 – 8 March, ADNEC will host the second edition of Abu Dhabi Unmanned System Exhibition (UMEX), which was held previously alongside the International Defence Exhibition & Conference (IDEX). Organised by Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company in collaboration with the UAE Armed Forces, the inaugural edition of UMEX Abu Dhabi drew the participation of 33 international companies from 13 countries across 7 national pavilions.
A gateway for manufacturers and suppliers to build relationships with influential decision makers within the industry, UMEX showcases unmanned systems and technologies used in air, land and marine operations. The event gives visitors a chance to view equipment showcased on static display stands and examine unmanned systems capabilities at live demonstrations hosted by Al Ain Airport. The 2016 edition of UMEX is expected to draw the participation of more than 5,000 experts and specialists from all over the world.
As part of its agenda, ADAAW will stage the first Simulation Conference and Exhibition in collaboration with the UAE Armed Forces. The segment is set to showcase the latest technologies in simulation systems used both in defence and civilian applications. The event will also include a dedicated corner for companies specialised in defence training and development.
On the second day of ADAAW, the third Global Aerospace Summit will lift off at ADNEC. Organised by Streamline Marketing Group and hosted by Mubadala Development Company, the 2016 event, which adopts the theme of ‘innovation,’ will run from 7 to 8 March.
The invitation-only event is an exclusive forum for C-level executives, senior decisionmakers and government officials involved in the aerospace, aviation, defence and space industries. Attendance is limited to 1,000 world industry leaders across the relevant sectors who discuss and develop initiatives and strategies that support future growth.
Homaid Al Shemmari CEO, Aerospace & Engineering Services at Mubadala Development Company said: "We actively support initiatives that promote and develop the UAE’s aviation and aerospace industry and diversify our economy. We are proud to be part of Aviation and Aerospace Week as we work together to help shape the future of the aerospace, aviation, defence and space industries.”
Taking off on the third day of ADAAW, Abu Dhabi Air Expo’s fourth edition alongside the Middle East Aviation Career Exhibition & Conference, hosted by Abu Dhabi Airports, will run from March 8 to 10 at Al Bateen Executive Airport. While Abu Dhabi Air Expo is expected to attract more than 13,000 visitors, the Middle East Aviation Career Exhibition & Conference is set to draw the participation of more than 500 students.
The Abu Dhabi Air Expo, the first of its kind in the UAE and Abu Dhabi, will attract leading aviation specialists in light and medium aircraft from across the Middle East, providing a platform to showcase the latest products and innovations in the industry. This exhibition will specially focus on owners of private jets, as well as aircraft engineers and professional and amateur pilots, giving them an opportunity to explore a wide range of aircraft and related hardware, equipment and technologies.
The Middle East Aviation Career Conference and Exhibition, on the other hand, will offer valuable opportunities for those looking for careers within the aviation industry to meet and discuss with specialists opportunities within the industry. The definitive industry event will conclude with the two-day Red Bull Air Race at the Abu Dhabi Corniche on 11 and 12 March. Organised by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the Red Bull Air Race is expected to attract 80,000 visitors. Co-hosted by Abu Dhabi along with eight other cities, the event will offer spectators thrilling aerial action performed by world-famous daredevil pilots.
James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ President and Chief Executive Officer, said: “Etihad Airways is delighted to be named the official airline partner of the inaugural Abu Dhabi Aviation and Aerospace Week, an occasion which will reaffirm the UAE’s capital as a world leader in these two crucial industries.
“The week-long event will attract the many of the world’s leading aviation and aerospace figures to Abu Dhabi, as well as thousands of trade visitors and enthusiasts.
“Etihad Airways is immensely proud of its global reputation for innovation, hospitality, and service and we look forward to showcasing this as well as many more of the airline’s offerings to visitors to the Abu Dhabi Aviation and Aerospace Week in March next year.”
In addition to its significant direct and indirect impact on the emirate’s economy, ADAAW is eventually anticipated to attract more sector-related specialised exhibitions and events to the UAE. Additionally, the event will give an opportunity to the country’s national workforce to meet and engage with global experts in the aviation industry.
For more information see
www.adaaw.ae or check out #AbuDhabiAviation on social media.
Source: Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority