The successful completion of the tenth edition of the Abu\nDhabi Air Expo reinforced the position of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi as a key\nregional hub for aviation. During the three-day expo more than 20,000\ndelegates, representing local and international aerospace companies, owners,\noperators, suppliers, and media, explored the exhibition, and static display,\nand attended the dynamic conference panels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Etihad, the official airline sponsor welcomed guests to its\nchalet where it showcased its sustainability initiatives, charter services and\nmedical evacuation expertise, as well as displaying an Airbus A321 aircraft on\nthe static. Etihad also provided key contributions to the conference schedule\nwith panelists discussing sustainability, workforce issues, and the\npost-pandemic aviation landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Joining Etihad at the premiere conference were eminent\nfigureheads from the aviation community including Joscha Kremers, Chief\nAviation Transportation & Logistics Section, United Nations, Mr. Badr Al\nOlama Executive Director Mubadala, who moderated the panel on the future growth\nand developments in aviation and Mr Kashish Kohli, Group Chief Financial\nOfficer, SANAD. Supporting diversity in the industry the first day\u2019s sessions\nfocused on the opportunities for women in aviation and welcomed Ms Merhat\nSultan, the Middle Eastern Women in Aviation President.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The event also acted as a platform for major new\nannouncements. Royal Jet announced the addition of a new Boeing Business Jet to\nits fleet positioning it as the largest BBJ operator in the world. Memos of\nunderstanding were signed between the General Civil Aviation Authority of the\nUAE, represented by its commercial arm, IACT, International for Aviation\nTraining and Consultation, and the Fujairah Aviation Academy and Falcon\nAviation Services, to ensure the future for aviation professionals in the\nregion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Future Flight was also well represented with\nSwitzerland-headquartered start-up Jekta debuting plans for the development of\nan electric, multi-purpose, amphibious aircraft, the PHAZE-100 (Passenger Hydro\nAircraft Zero Emissions). VoltAero, also exhibiting, confirmed it had received\nits first tranche of Series B financing, which includes a \u20ac32 million capital\nraise, to cover certification and production launch of the first member in its\nelectric-hybrid aircraft family, the Cassio 330.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking to the skies visitors also enjoyed astounding air\ndisplays from Al Fursan the aerobatics demonstration team of the United Arab\nEmirates Air Force, and local skydivers who dropped in on National UAE flag day\ndisplaying the Emirates\u2019 red, white and green colours on their silks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n