world aviation leaders arrive in abu dhabi for first middle east aviation outlook summit tomorrow

Published February 27th, 2008 - 14:33 GMT

Leading figures from the world aviation industry are arriving in Abu Dhabi ahead of the first Middle East Aviation Outlook Summit, to be held in the capital tomorrow and Thursday. (27-28 February 2008).

The summit, at the prestigious Beach Rotana Hotel & Towers, is organised by Terrapinn and the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA), and has been convened to address the growing influence of the Middle East on global aviation and tourism.

According to Symon Rubens, Managing Director of Terrapinn Middle East, delegates will hear exclusive information from international industry leaders about the future and emerging opportunities in the Middle East which has quickly become the most exciting aviation market in the world.

"The summit will consist of a high-level speaker programme and an accompanying exhibition," he said. "Abu Dhabi Airports Company, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority and Mubadala are the Host Sponsors of the Summit and Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, is the Official Carrier. The Arab Air Carriers Organisation, (AACO) and the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) are endorsing the event

Peter Harbison, Executive Chairman of CAPA who will make the opening address, stated
"As we flagged in our recent Middle East Aviation Outlook Report, airlines and airports in the region have the potential to sustainably grow at levels which were previously unimaginable. It is a region that can no longer be ignored. This Summit will therefore be a vital networking and discussion forum for the industry to come together to understand the implications of these developments, which could rewrite the world aviation system."

Other Keynote Addresses will be made by James Hogan, CEO, Etihad Airways and Dr. Nawal Taneja, Professor and Chairman, Department of Aviation, Ohio State University.