EDITOR’S LETTER
PAX International 26 Pearl Street, Mississauga, ontario L5M 1X2, Canada tel: (1 905) 821-3344; fax: (1 905) 821-2777 website: www.pax-intl.com
Publisher Aijaz Khan E-mail: aijaz@globalmarketingcom.ca
editorial offices Rick Lundstrom, Editor in Chief PAX International 723 Jefferson Street, NE Minneapolis, MN 55413, USA tel: (1 612) 378-0862 fax: (1 612) 378-0852 E-mail: rick@pax-intl.com Lauren Brunetti, Managing Editor tel: (1 905) 821-3344 x21 E-mail: lauren@pax-intl.com Tanya Filippelli, Associate Editor
challenges
of growth An old-time politician, Senator Everett Dirksen of Illinois, was once quoted as saying, “a billion here and a billion there, and pretty soon you’re talking about real money.” It seems like a billion dollars, an incomprehensibly large number to most people, sure doesn’t buy as much as it used to. But in the years ahead, the estimated billions spent on inflight interior products will keep an industry afloat and another generation of passengers ensconced in the closest thing that passes for comfort in an aircraft cabin. That growth will mean billions of dollars for an industry whose roller coaster may be finally, again on the ascent. With worldwide demand pegged at 35,000 aircraft in the next 20 years, the $4.8 trillion that Boeing estimates will be spent on big iron will mean opportunities for many of the companies gathering for the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Seattle. The airline industry itself is coming off what generally has been seen as a successful year. Figures from the International Air Transport Association show airlines, which track everything down to the penny, were going to make $4 per passenger. On paper,
that does not look like much. But – with apologies to the late Sen. Dirksen -- $4 here and $4 there and pretty soon you’re talking about $12.7 billion, and that’s the global net profit projections that were released by IATA in late July. But with opportunities come the inevitable challenges. And one of the largest, seat integration will be tackled head on in Seattle (see related story page 38). Inside all the growth that’s anticipated lies the need for companies that supply seating and all the gadgets that go with it to work together for the benefit of the airline, and the future passengers that will be comforted and entertained with their products. If anything can point the way forward, it will be the assembled experts that will spend the day together Tuesday, October 1. If they’re fortunate, and listen to one another, this year’s AIX Americas could make some history of its own, and make all the billions that will be spent in the years to come, a wise investment for everyone.
tel: (1 905) 821-3344 x31 E-mail: tanya@pax-intl.com CoNtrIBUtorS Andrew Brooks John Guise Cindy Sosroutomo
a r t d e Pa r t m e n t Sarit Scheer E-mail: sarit.scheer@gmail.com
advertising offices Deepa J, Subscription & Conference Manager tel: (1 905) 821-3344 x35 fax: (1 905) 821-2777 E-mail: deepa@globalmarketingcom.ca PAX International is published six times a year (January/february, March/April, May, June/July/August, September/october, November/December) by PAX International, 26 Pearl Street, Mississauga, ontario L5M 1X2, Canada. International Distribution. Subscriptions: $200 for one year; $300 for two years; $400 for three years. Art and photographs will not be returned unless accompanied by return postage. the views expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the publisher or editor. September/october 2013, Vol. 17, No. 6. Printed in Canada. All rights reserved. Nothing may be reprinted in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. © PAX International magazine
rick lundstrom Editor in Chief, PAX International www.pax-intl.com
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