POWER OF PARTNERSHIPS IS KEY MESSAGE FROM DAY ONE OF GLOBAL AEROSPACE SUMMIT
Almasalla Arab Travel Portal News – Abu Dhabi- The power of partnership as a force for growth was emphasised by speaker after speaker today at the second Global Aerospace Summit, staged in Abu Dhabi.
More than 1,500 CEOs, senior executives and government officials who had come together for the first day of the Summit, in Saadiyat Island’s St Regis Hotel, heard that innovative collaborations were driving forward the aviation, aerospace, defense and space industries.
The Summit was opened by H.E. Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the GCAA, who welcomed the return of an event which has become a key platform for discussion about issues facing these industries.
“Today, the Global Aerospace Summit returns to Abu Dhabi, with well over 1,000 delegates from 425 companies in 56 countries,” said H.E. Al Suwaidi.
“We have great representatives from both established and emerging markets. It is a key indication that Abu Dhabi has become a vital hub for aerospace and aviation.
“The capital of the UAE steadily continues to invest in the future of aviation, not just locally but internationally as well, driving industry growth. We have used this opportunity to develop our infrastructure, to become one of the strongest global hubs with two of the key airlines. The UAE has also become a supplier to leading aircraft manufacturing companies.
“The UAE has created long lasting partnerships and has created opportunities for collaboration.”
James Hogan, President and CEO of Etihad Airways, was the Summit’s first keynote speaker. He highlighted the importance of partnership in the growth of the UAE’s national carrier, from a US$ 300 million airline in 2006 to a US$7.4 billion global aviation and travel business this year.
“It has been about partnership, about building a network, about supporting jobs and delivering economic growth,” he said. “Our partnerships have allowed us to expand into more markets, bringing more competitive choice to consumers and delivering commercial benefits to our partners.”
His words were reflected by Tony Tyler, Director-General and CEO of IATA, who said:
“Partnerships are adding value to individual airlines, increasing the customer proposition and reducing costs. They are facilitating airlines across borders.
“These types of arrangements are becoming ever more important.”
Camiel Eurlings, Chief Executive Officer of KLM, added: “For KLM, partnership is the main reason we are still here. We are always pioneering and working together with other partners, to keep growing. We would never be here without our partners.”
Senior executives from other sectors echoed the importance of collaboration.
Marillyn Hewson, Chairman, President and CEO of Lockheed Martin Corporation, said:
“Partnerships are about shared purpose and mutually beneficial arrangements. They are even more important in defence.
“We do business with over 70 countries around the world. There is the opportunity for countries to work together through our products and build shared trust.”
Homaid Al Shemmari, Chief Executive Officer of Mubadala Aerospace and Engineering Services, said:
“The road is very long, but what we are playing very well in the Middle East is partnership. Partnership – be it with Etihad, Boeing, Airbus, GE, Rolls Royce or ADAC – is a core reason we are successful today in diversifying and creating jobs, in building our economy around those sectors.”
Throughout the day, participants in the Summit debated a range of issues, sharing expertise and different viewpoints to identify solutions.
(3).png)
One key challenge identified by a number of delegates was congested airspace.
Randy Tinseth, Vice President, Marketing Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said:
“Every airplane in the world can become 10 per cent more efficient overnight if we can solve some of the issues around air traffic management.”
Richard Deakin, CEO of NATS, added:
“Air traffic congestion is being recognised as a potential limiting factor to regional growth, by airports and airlines. The region needs to act now to exploit the best solutions, delivering them by combining local knowledge with international experience.”
Speakers also highlighted the importance of attracting a new generation into the industry. Tony Douglas, Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports Company, told delegates that a key inspiration for him had been seeing Buzz Aldrin – who gives a keynote speech at the Summit’s second day – walk on the moon.
“Like Buzz Aldrin, we must inspire younger people to be attracted to this industry. Innovation is running at a far greater pace than ever before.”
Mr Douglas promised that Abu Dhabi’s new Midfield Terminal, which will open at 07.00 hours on 17/07/17, would also inspire travellers in and out of Abu Dhabi.
“An airport is the entry route of aviation. We believe the new gateway to our capital city will be an amazing experience.”
HE Saif Mohamed Al Hajeri – CEO, Tawazun, believed collaboration offers a powerful route to bring young people into the industry.
“In the UAE, under the guidance of the wise leadership, we’ve long realised the manufacturing sector cannot be built and flourish without talented, well trained UAE nationals.
“The partnership between academia and industry, locally and internationally, is critical.
“Although a lot has been achieved in the last decade, more work and closer alignment is required to build these industries.”
American astronaut Buzz Aldrin, the second person to walk on the moon, spoke to media about his excitement at what the industry was delivering in the region, saying:
“This is a hub of transportation from what I can see, with the two airlines that reach out from here. I feel in some ways UAE can also be a hub for some of the experiences of space.”
Befitting of an event which has brought together the aerospace sector, delegates gave thought to the recent tragedy affecting Malaysian Airlines flight MH370.
Tony Tyler spoke for the industry when he said, “We need to understand what happened and make sure it does not happen again. Safety is our top priority. This has been at the heart of the industry since the beginning.”
