New aerospace trade show for Iran launched

MIDDLE EAST – A new aerospace trade show and conference will be launched next year as Western trade sanctions against Iran are lifted. Businesses leaders keen to capitalise on an emerging market will meet in Dubai on 2-3 March 2016. Aviation Iran is organised by Times Aerospace Events, in partnership with Aerocomm and Access Group. The announcement comes as officials reopened the British embassy in Iran this week. The embassy was closed in 2011 after it was stormed by protestors. According to reports, lifting economic commercial sanctions will allow Boeing and Airbus to renew Iran’s fleet of jetliners, which has an average age of 23 years. More than 15 commercial and cargo airlines use more than 300 international and domestic airports. The organiser said that opening the market will create jobs as passenger volumes lost to regional and European airlines are regained. Times Aerospace Events organises aviation events including Aviation Africa 2015, which attracted 400 delegates and 40 exhibitors to Dubai in May. “If sanctions are lifted on Iran and the country opens up, it will make a difference – the size of the difference I don’t know. There is a lot of demand,” said Captain Ken Gile, chief operating officer of low-cost carrier FlyDubai. Conference chairman Alan Peaford, editor in chief of Arabian Aerospace magazine, said: “We recognise the need for discussions, key topics and serious debate about how to help grow and develop this new market. Our role for the conference will be to invite heads of Iranian airlines, airports and authorities to present and discuss requirements and opportunities.”