West Looks
East
Western mx players still bet
on business in the Middle
East and nearby countries
By Thierry DuBois
A Falcon 2000LX business jet and an Airbus A380 on the static display. Despite much weaker sales,
the Dubai 2009 airshow saw the number of exhibitors increase from 850 in 2007 to 890 this year.
Credit: Thierry Dubois
W
hile the Middle East’s air the French industry with Dassault’s gar will be built for operations to
transport industry has not Rafale fighter, have spurred the start in 2012. The facility will be able
been spared the economic establishment of joint ventures in to accommodate two widebodies
slump, it seems maintenance play- the sector, too. and two narrowbodies.
ers are nonetheless betting on the Setting up a subsidiary in the Some 300 technicians will work
region’s long-term needs. Most region is thought to be sound in there on Airbus A330s, Boeing 737-
prominent blows have been the terms of organization, providing local 600s to -900s, Embraers and ATRs.
delays in building the Dubai World demand keeps shops busy. Moreover, Available will be light maintenance
Central-Al Maktoum International companies creating joint ventures to C-checks. “We have 32 joint ven-
(DWC-AMI) airport and the weak- with local partners want to show tures around the world and this will
ness of the Dubai 2009 airshow (Nov their commitment to customers such be our first one here in the Middle
15-19) in terms of sales—$14 billion, as carriers Emirates, Qatar Airways, East,” Lufthansa Technik chairman
without comparison to the 2007 tally, Etihad Airways, Flydubai, Saudi August Henningsen said during a
$155 billion. However, announced at Arabian Airlines, Oman Air, Yemenia press conference.
the show were a number of partner- and Royal Jordanian—among others. Not yet a joint venture but already
ships between Middle Eastern and It also puts them in a good posi- an involvement in the construction of
Western firms. This probably signals tion to take advantage of hoped-for a local maintenance facility, Lufthansa
the latter’s will to gain a foothold future growth. Technik is also supplying consult-
in a still promising region—after At the Dubai airshow, Lufthansa ing services to Doha, Qatar airport.
all, the existing Dubai International Technik and Oman Air signed a letter A contract was signed at the Dubai
Airport expects 2009 to end with an of intent to form a joint venture at airshow with the Doha International
8% traffic growth. The prospects of Muscat airport to support the Oman Airport Steering Committee for this
new military contracts, notably for airline and third parties. A new han- purpose. Qatar Airways is to use the
22 Aviation Maintenance |
avmain-mag.com | December 2009/Janauary 2010
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