Arab Aviation Summit sees Shifting Trends in the ‘Future of Travel’

The two-day Arab Aviation Summit, held at Al Hamra International Exhibition Center in Ras Al Khaimah, underscored collaboration and innovation as pivotal elements in achieving the common objective of Sustainable Aviation. The leading aviation and tourism event, taking place on February 27-28, delved into the impacts of advanced technologies and evolving consumer expectations. Discussions also brought attention to challenges such as parts shortages and delivery delays.

Under the theme ‘Exploring the Future of Travel,’ the 11th edition of the summit united industry professionals for panel discussions, keynote addresses, and networking events. Key topics included the industry’s sustainable growth amid macroeconomic and geopolitical challenges, the skills shortage within the sector, opportunities for advanced air mobility in creating unique tourism experiences in the MENA region, and the influential role of Middle Eastern airlines in shaping global trends and consumer travel behavior.A notable addition to the discussions was the exploration of blockchain in aviation, led by Todd Siena, CEO of Block.Aero. The session delved into the potential of blockchain and digital assets in aviation, addressing aspects of building trust, enhancing safety, and improving efficiency.Despite the aviation sector’s recovery from pandemic-related disruptions, challenges persist due to reactive policies during the global health crisis. Abdul Wahab Teffaha, Secretary General of the Arab Air Carriers Organization, emphasized the ongoing supply chain challenges, inflation, and global economic conditions hindering the sector’s growth. To achieve sustainability goals, he stressed the importance of incentivizing clean energy usage rather than penalizing airlines. Teffaha also highlighted the critical role of digitalization in bridging technology gaps throughout the travel journey.Julia Simpson, President & CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council, emphasized the intrinsic connection between aviation and tourism. She called for collaborative efforts among stakeholders to enhance sustainability in the sector. While acknowledging the potential of sustainable aviation fuel and associated technologies, Simpson urged governments to play a proactive role by implementing supportive policies, incentives, and establishing a trajectory for scaling up towards 2050.

Organized in partnership with the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, AAS 2024 receives backing from prominent global industry partners including Airbus, CFM, Collins Aerospace, and T3 Aviation Academy.