April 2023

April 2023

News, Reviews and Analysis.

April 2023

Aviation Achievement Awards Special A MEA Business Publication

ETIHAD ENGINEERING WIN BIG

Etihad Engineering win 3 awards at the recently concluded Aviation Achievement Awards 2023 Aviation News 6 | Aviation Achievement Awards 10 | Event Highlights 20 | Aviation Annual Gala Evening 34

Introduction

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he editorial staff of MEA Business are committed to reporting the as highlighting the business opportunities that already exist in the two regions.

We also want to provide a platform for business leaders to share ideas, engage in constructive debates and form strategic partnerships.

Our ultimate aim is to equip business leaders and professionals with the practical and tactical skills to thrive in the Middle East and Africa. With an emphasis on positive news stories, case studies and inspirational interviews, MEA business will inspire readers towards personal development and overall business success.

The magazine is arranged to provide clear and concise informative sections including news sections on the Middle East and Africa, CEO interviews and market updates. The magazine and news service we offer are available on a variety of platforms, these include our printed magazine, e-magazine, website and social media. Furthermore, we include augmented reality elements in some of our features to provide our readers with unparalleled coverage on the latest developments.

MEA Business also publishes several sector specials throughout the year. These special issues are produced to coincide with important industry exhibitions and events. This month's issue is an Aviation Awards special. I hope you will also join me in congratulating all the winners.

Kenneth Mitchen

Publisher, MEA Business

mea-biz.com

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CONTENTS 16

AVIATION NEWS

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Sheikh Mohammed aerospace hub in Dubai south breaks ground on hangar facility for helicopters

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Aventure Aviation Acquires Seven Boeing 737NGs from WestJet Airlines

AVIATION ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS 2023

10 Aviation Achievement Awards 2023 12 Event Highlights

Almatar Travel Group signs a new technology agreement with Sabre

MEA Business WEB: www.mea-biz.com EMAIL: info@cme-media.com PUBLISHED BY: Creative Middle East Media FZ LLE, 19th Floor, Creative Tower, Fujairah Creative City, PO Box 4422, Fujairah, UAE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND PUBLISHER: Kenneth Mitchen Email: ken.mitchen@mea-finance.com

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Business News for the MEA region

AVIATION ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS 2023 WINNERS

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Low Cost Airline of the Year -Air Arabia

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Airline of the year -Emirates Airline Awards for the Airport 15 Sustainability Sector-Bahrain Airport Company Health & Safety Initiative of the year in the Airport Sector-Bahrain Airport Company Mid-sized Airport Operator of the Year -Bahrain Airport Company Contribution to the Air Cargo 16 Outstanding Sector-ALS Logistic Solutions Cargo Charter Broker of the Year 17 Air -Chapman Freeborn

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Air Cargo Handling Systems 18 Best -ALS Logistic Solutions Airline of the Year 20 Cargo -Etihad Cargo Cargo Pharma Service of the Year 22 Air -Etihad Cargo Award 23 Resilience -Fly Dubai Cargo Management Team of the Year 24 MRO -Etihad Engineering Supplier of the Year 25 Parts -Aventure Aviation Innovation of the Year 26 MRO -Etihad Engineering Service Provider of the Year for 28 MRO Business Aviation-ExecuJet Service Provider of the Year for 30 MRO Commercial Airlines-Etihad Engineering Charter Service Provider of the year 31 Air -Chapman Freeborn

Management Service Provider of 32 Aircraft the year-Empire Aviation Collaboration of the Year in Business Aviation-Empire Aviation Support Services Provider of the 33 Ground year-UAS International Trip Support Aviation Sustainability Award for Business Aviation-UAS International Trip Support Operations System Excellence 36 Flight award-Hadid International Trip Support

37 ESG Excellence Award-Topcast Innovation of the Year 38 Engineering -Honeywell mea-biz.com

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AVIATION NEWS

Sheikh Mohammed aerospace hub in Dubai south breaks ground on hangar facility for helicopters Dubai Helipark, which spans 42,800 square meters and is adjacent to the private jet terminal, will include a landside helicopter hangar in the new phase

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he Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH) has announced the start of construction on Dubai Helipark’s second phase, the Helicopter Centre, in collaboration with Air Chateau International.

The General Civil Aviation Authority certified Air Chateau International to begin helicopter operations at the Dubai Helipark in 2022, opening the door for a plethora of private helicopter owners, individuals, and corporations to consider leasing a parking spot within the premises and ensuring easy access to other heliports.

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Tahnoon Saif, CEO of MBRAH, Dr Samir Mohammed, Chairman and Founder of Air Chateau International, Shilton Tony Irudayaraj, Co-Founder and CEO of Air Chateau, and other senior executives attended the groundbreaking ceremony.

Dubai Helipark, which covers 42,800 square meters, is located next to the private airport. will feature an extension of the existing apron to accommodate 12 helicopters and cater to world-class helicopter MRO services.

The state-of-the-art helicopter centre is the largest of its kind, currently accommodating eight helicopters to facilitate transport

Business News for the MEA region

between business centres and tourist destinations across the UAE; it will also feature a VIP lounge to meet and greet and brief potential ultra-high-net-worth individuals arriving at the VIP Terminal. In addition to offering the best amenities for UHNWIs arriving by their private jets, Air Chateau International will also provide MRO services and a showroom for the latest helicopters showcased by world-leading manufacturers.

In his comments, Tahnoon Saif, CEO of Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub, said: “We are thrilled to announce the commencement of construction on the new phase of Dubai Helipark. This remarkable development is a testament to our unwavering commitment to providing exceptional services that cater to the needs of helicopter owners. At MBRAH, we are deeply committed to aligning ourselves with the government’s vision of solidifying Dubai’s position on the world aviation map, and we are proud to play our part in contributing to Dubai’s economy through our innovative offerings and tailored solutions.

We are dedicated to providing exceptional services that exceed our clients’ expectations and contribute to the continued growth of Dubai’s aviation industry.”

Dr Samir Mohammed, Chairman and Founder of Air Chateau International, said: “Since the successful launch of the first phase of Dubai Helipark, we have been overwhelmed by the positive response from private helicopter owners and key stakeholders.

As a result, we are expecting a remarkable increase in the number of operations in the coming quarters. At Air Chateau International, we take pride in utilising our expertise in the aviation industry to ensure that the helicopter centre is operational and provides a first-class experience that caters to the needs of our discerning customers.”

Aventure Aviation Acquires Seven Boeing 737NGs from WestJet Airlines All seven aircraft will be immediately disassembled to meet Aventure Aviation’s growing demand for aircraft parts from airlines and MROs around the world

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venture Aviation, a leading ASA-100 accredited aviation parts and services company, recently acquired seven Boeing 737NGs from WestJet Airlines of Canada.

The purchase was made to meet the rising demand for routine and AOG parts from airlines and MROs. All seven aircraft, MSN 34284, 34285, 34286, 34287, 34288, 35111 and 35112, will undergo immediate teardown for parts.

The first will take place in Marana, Arizona.

Aventure was represented by law firm Smith Gambrell Russel in the transaction.

“This major acquisition will provide a significant inventory increase for our global customer base,” said Kevin Lang, Aventure’s director of strategic accounts.

“We are constantly seeing new ways to support our global customer base, who trust us to provide quality parts on time with full traceability and recent shop work,” said Andrew Crombie, Aventure’s product line sales director.

“This adds to 15 aircraft dismantled in recent months, providing our customers with the latest 737NG inventory.” To better accommodate the increased inventory, Aventure will begin construction of 100,000+ square foot state-of-the art warehouse in Atlanta, supplementing two existing warehouses. “Aventure continues to offer a unique global aviation investment platform for investors, leasing companies, and owners,” said Talha Faruqi, president of Aventure Aviation.

“We are in active discussions to find solutions for idle aircraft.” “With our teardown experience, we have solutions to deploy capital, provide asset management services, and material consignments for stakeholders,” continued Faruqi.

“We are seeing an increase in inquiries from investors looking for options to diversify their portfolios.” Said Amyr Qureshi, senior vice president during MRO Middle East which recently took place in Dubai, UAE. He attended the event with Surabh Tripathi, regional director for Asia and Salman Basheer, sales manager.

During the event they discussed parts supply solutions with a number of airlines and MRO service providers. Aventure’s North American team including Amyr Qureshi will be in attendance at the upcoming MRO Americas, April 18–20.

In addition to its headquarters near Atlanta’s Harstfield-Jackson International Airport, Aventure Aviation has offices in Beijing, Delhi, Istanbul, Karachi, London, and Toronto. It offers OEM distributorships, component repair and overhaul management, and excess inventory consignment sales in addition to its core aircraft parts business.

Aventure’s cutting-edge facilities include a large, purpose-built warehouse where spare parts for Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, Embraer, General Dynamics F-16, and Lockheed Hercules C-130 aircraft are stored. mea-biz.com

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AVIATION NEWS

Almatar Travel Group signs a new technology agreement with Sabre Almatar Travel Group will benefit from Sabre’s comprehensive travel ecosystem, including air, lodging, ancillary, and NDC content

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lmatar Travel Group and Sabre Corporation, two of the world’s top software and technology companies that power the travel industry, signed a new technology agreement that will see the travel company use Sabre’s cutting-edge technology and solutions to boost operational efficiency.

The deal was inked during the Saudi Tourism Forum in Riyadh.

Almatar Travel Group will benefit from Sabre’s comprehensive travel ecosystem, including air, lodging, ancillary, and NDC content, under the terms of this arrangement.

Also, Almatar will utilize Sabre’s Red 360 intelligent platform and portfolio of cuttingedge technology, which will help the travel

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agency stand out from the competition.

Ad d i t i o n a l l y, A l m at a r w i l l u s e Sabre’s APIs and Automation Hub to help it stay competitive in the dynamic Saudi marketplace.

“With the impressive developments of the Saudi Vision 2030, we are witnessing increased tourism in the country, allowing us to deal with travellers from around the world with different expectations and accustomed to different technology,” said Faisal Al Rajhi, President, Almatar Travel Group. “We turned to Sabre to advance our technology, expand our reach and equip ourselves with intelligent solutions that make shopping and booking travel intuitive, personalised and flexible which

Business News for the MEA region

is important to differentiate our offerings in a competitive marketplace.”

Almatar Travel Group is advancing its payments solution and will deploy Sabre Virtual Payments (SVP) to help maximize value of its B2B payments and to provide payments flexibility and control, increased fraud protection and security, accurate reconciliation and better automation and efficiency.

“We are excited to partner with Sabre at this exciting time to support the Kingdom’s vision and the travel and tourism developments,” said Aimen Saleh, CEO, Almatar. “Our mission at Almatar is to deploy advanced products and technologies with our unique position in the Saudi market to deliver a best-inclass travel experience for our customers.

Therefore, we are working with Sabre on the payments front to benefit from their leading virtual payments solutions.

Sabre’s technology and reach which will be essential components in our growth and technology strategy.”

Almatar and Sabre signed the new agreement at the Saudi Tourism Forum in Riyadh which offers travel and tourism companies interaction and networking opportunities with one another and features cutting-edge technology and environmental solutions that will transform travel in the future.

“To support the Saudi Vision 2030, agencies like Almatar need access to innovative technology and content,” said Abdul-Razzaq Iyer, vice president, Sabre Travel Network Middle East. “Almatar is already a proven innovator in travel, delivering highly tailored experiences to its customers in both online and offline space.

We are proud to partner with Almatar to advance its payments strategy and recruit the right solutions to fuel their growth and expansion plans.”

AVIATION ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

Event Highlights

Aviation Achievement Awards 2023 The Aviation Achievement Awards took place on the 28th February 2023. The awards recognized individual and organizations who demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation and resilience during 2022 - 2023.

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Business News for the MEA region

• Flight Support Service Provider of the year – Prime Trip Support • Fixed Base Operator (FBO) of the year – RoyalJet • Aviation Sustainability Award (Business Aviation) – UAS International Trip Support • Ground Support Services Provider of the year – UAS International Trip Support • Aircraft Operator of the year – UAS International Trip Support • Operator of the year – VistaJet • Outstanding Service (Air Ambulance) – Redstar Aviation Commercial Aviation Industry Awards • Airline of the year – Emirates Airline • Low-cost Airline of the year – Air Arabia • Outstanding Contribution to the Aviation Sector – Strata Industry Awards • Training Provider of the year – Dynamic Advanced Training • ESG Excellence Award – Topcast • Digital Transformation of the year – Etisalat by e&

EVENT WINNERS 2023: Air Cargo Awards • Best Air Cargo Handling Systems Awards – ALS Logistic Solutions • Outstanding Contribution to the Air Cargo Sector – ALS Logistic Solutions • Air Cargo Charter Broker of the year – Chapman Freeborn • Air Cargo service provider of the year (nonCommercial Airline) – Dronamics • Air Cargo Pharma Service of the year Award – Etihad Cargo • Cargo Airline of the year – Etihad Cargo • Resilience Award – flydubai Cargo • Freight Management Company of the year Award – Freight Management Services FZC Airport Industry Awards • Airport operator of the year (Med-Sized Airports) – Bahrain Airport Company

• Airport Management Technology Provider of the Year – TAV TECHNOLOGIES • Aviation Sustainability Award (Airports) – Bahrain Airport Company • Airport of the Year – Hamad International Airport – Qatar • Health & Safety Initiative of the year (Airport) – Bahrain Airport Company Business Aviation Awards • Flight Operations System Excellence Award – HADID International Services • Air Charter Service Provider of the year – Chapman Freeborn • Aircraft Management Service Provider of the year – Empire Aviation

MRO Awards • Parts Supplier of the Year – Aventure Aviation • MRO Innovation of the Year – Etihad Engineering • MRO Management Team of the Year – Etihad Engineering • MRO Service Provider of the Year (Commercial Airlines) – Etihad Engineering • MRO Service Provider of the Year (Business Aviation) – ExecuJet MRO Services Satellite, Engineering and Technology Awards • Engineering Innovation of the Year – Honeywell • Satellite Operator Excellence Award – Inmarsat • Best New Satellite Service Award – OneWeb

• Collaboration of the Year (Business Aviation) – Empire Aviation

• Best Inflight Connectivity Service Award (Commercial Airlines) – Panasonic Avionics

• Outstanding Contribution to Business Aviation / Flight support – MixJet

• Best Inflight Connectivity Service Award (Business Aviation) – Satcom Direct mea-biz.com

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AVIATION ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

Event Highlights

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Business News for the MEA region

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AVIATION ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

Low Cost Airline of the Year Air Arabia

Air Arabia is the winner of the low cost airline of the year award. At the end of 2022 Air Arabia reported their highestever net profit figures, being 1.222 billion AED. They successfully outperformed their pre-Covid 2019 results, when the airline then recorded a net profit of 1.008 billion

AED. These figures clearly confirm that the carrier has emphatically left considerable distance between recent business activities and the challenges of the pandemic years, demonstrating a clear focus and producing

remarkable performance that reflects the carrier’s robust business model, highlights their accomplished management team, as well as their highly effective growth strategy.

Emirates Airline won the 2023 Airline of the Year Award in recognition of an outstanding year of achievements that began in 2022 and continued into 2023. During this time, they carried a record number of passengers into the region to attend Expo 2020 Dubai

and the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Emirates Airline made history by conducting 100% BIOFUEL powered flight for the first time.

They also created and implemented some of the world’s most innovative and engaging marketing campaigns.

Airline of the Year Emirates Airline

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Business News for the MEA region

Sustainability Awards for the Airport Sector Bahrain Airport Company

Bahrain Airport Company is the winner of the Sustainability Awards for the Airport Sector award for their commitment to

achieving net zero carbon by 2050. As a key part of this initiative and to ensure success in reaching this goal, Bahrain Airport Company established a framework of carbon management that has already considerably reduced its carbon footprint.

Other initiatives include upgraded air conditioning systems, the installation of energy saving LED lighting, and implementing green procurement and carbon management schemes.

Health & Safety Initiative of the year in the Airport Sector Bahrain Airport Company

Bahrain Airport Company is the winner of the Health & Safety Initiative of the year in the Airport Sector, in recognition for their

implementation of a prevention based health and safety programme focusing on a “just culture” as opposed to a blame attribution regime. This system allows responsible executives and safety departments to focus on developing effective corrective actions instead of apportioning blame to groups or individuals. The programme also includes an online reporting system that has led to a number of improvements for airport staff and contractors.

Mid-sized Airport Operator of the Year Bahrain Airport Company

Bahrain Airport Company is the winner of the Mid-sized Airport Operator of the Year engineering achievement,

but it also marks a new era for their nations’ aviation sector. The new airport terminal is four times the size of the legacy airport and is equipped with the latest technologies. The new airport successfully delivers a smooth and hassle-free airport experience, offering the highest standards of amenity and luxury. award. The Bahrain Airport Company new passenger terminal is not only an architectural and mea-biz.com

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AVIATION ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

Outstanding Contribution to the Air Cargo Sector ALS Logistic Solutions

ALS Logistic Solutions is the winner of the Outstanding Contribution to the Air Cargo Sector. With over 30 years of experience, ALS Logistics Solutions is a leading automation solutions provider of air cargo systems. They provide ergonomic, innovative, and technologically driven space-saving solutions to the industry.

They frequently make use of the most recent advancements in automation, integrated AI/AR control, and robotic

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systems. Freight Gate 5 and Freight Gate 8 at Dubai International Airport, Abu Dhabi International Airport, Muscat International Airport, Salalah International Airport, and Lagos International Airport are among their numerous fully automated terminal projects throughout the region. Making AL S Logist ic Sol ut ions t he cl e ar market leader.

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Air Cargo Charter Broker of the Year Chapman Freeborn

Chapman Freeborn win the award for the Air Cargo Charter Broker of the Year. Since their founding in the United Kingdom, fifty years ago, in 1973, Chapman Freeborn has been committed to keeping the supply chain moving and has secured a reputation as one of the industry’s most experienced and reliable air charterers.

T h e co m p a n y e x p e r i e n ce d a n exceptional 2022 and is already

managing high demand in 2023 across multiple industry sectors including in the automotive, energy and governmentrelated markets. Chapman Freeborn also support the important efforts of humanitarian organisations by delivering aid to hard-to-reach areas, including to places affected by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

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AVIATION ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

Best Air Cargo Handling Systems ALS Logistic Solutions

ALS Logistic Solutions is the winner of the Best Air Cargo Handling Systems award. ALS Logistics Solutions has an exceptional cargo handling portfolio that includes solutions ranging from manual operation to fully automated systems and robotically supported operations.

They have over thirty years of industry experience, and their products include

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Air Cargo Handling Systems, Modular Wa re h o u s e E q u i p m e n t , E x p re s s Handling Systems, and Industrial Facility Automation. With offices in the United Arab Emirates, Germany, Malaysia, and Singapore, ALS Logistics Solutions has built a trustworthy network of suppliers who provide world-class engineering and IT solutions to the air cargo industry.

Business News for the MEA region

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AVIATION ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

Cargo Airline of the Year Etihad Cargo

Etihad Cargo is the winner of the Cargo Airline of the Year award. Etihad Cargo have shown that they are firmly committed to being the air cargo partner of choice. Following their record mid-year results in 2022, they went on to surpass their operational performance targets which included:  Achieving 80.5% on-time-performance for freighter departures and 84.1% for freighter arrivals, ahead of their 80% target.  Improving their delivered-as-promised rate by 2.6% year on year to 87%  Reaching a load factor of 91% and a

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freighter utilisation rate of 14.3 hours.  Additionally, they were the first Middle Eastern airline and one of only three globally to achieve IATA’s CEIV Live Animals, Fresh and Pharmaceutical certifications in 2022. This globally recognised certification demonstrates that it meets strict quality controls.

Other notable highlights for Etihad Cargo included their developing of a new online booking portal, reducing booking time to just 45 seconds and conducting their first NetZero flight powered by Sustainable Aviation Fuel.

Business News for the MEA region

We are reducing our environmental footprint Considering the continued growth of the aviation industry and related carbon emissions, our sector needs to become more sustainable.

So as KLM, we are taking responsibility for making our business more sustainable. How? By flying on sustainable fuel, with more efficient routing, with cleaner planes and by recycling our waste.

Learn more about our journey to more sustainable aviation on klm.com/flyresponsibly

AVIATION ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

Air Cargo Pharma Service of the Year Etihad Cargo

Etihad Cargo walked away with the Air Cargo Pharma Service of the Year award.

Their win was based on their pivotal role in the transportation of medicines and vaccinations during the height of the pandemic, as well as their ongoing enhancement of their product offering to meet the evolving needs of the dynamic global pharmaceutical supply chain.

During 2022, Etihad Cargo demonstrated that it adheres to strict quality controls

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by becoming one of only three airlines in the world to obtain the globally recognized CEIV Pharma certification, as well as carrying over 10,000 tonnes of pharmaceutical cargo.

They also announced the opening of a cutting-edge pharmaceutical cool chain facility, which will double its current capacity and accommodate an additional 50,000 tonnes of cool chain commodities, in collaboration with their partners.

Business News for the MEA region

Resilience Award Fly Dubai Cargo

flydubai Cargo are the winners of this year’s Resilience Award. flydubai Cargo count 150 global destinations in their freight network and over 300 destinations in conjunction with their partners. They have fostered an inbuilt agility and preparedness which ensures that they always respond quickly to market changes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they utilised six Next-Generation Boeing 737-800 aircraft to operate as all-cargo

flights, which ensured the movement of essential supplies during that critical time period. In addition, they started an extensive trucking network in Europe to service cities they do not fly to. In 2022 flydubai Cargo also became the first regional airline to automate the checking of dangerous goods in Dubai through their DG AutoCheck solution. These action clearly support their track record for resilience, reliability and service excellence.

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AVIATION ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

MRO Management Team of the Year Etihad Engineering

Etihad Engineering are the winners of the MRO Management Team of the Year award.

The Etihad Engineering team's approach is to keep people at the forefront of their business strategy; for example, during the pandemic, when airlines were downsizing, they devised strategies to minimize job losses and ensure continuity. They also worked to diversify their production to include

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the manufacture of PPE equipment for frontline workers and the provision of aircraft parking services.

Their thoughtful leadership, smart planning, and collective spirit allowed the company to fully recover and record consistent growth over the last three years, allowing Etihad Engineering to maintain its position as one of the world's leading aviation MRO service providers.

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Parts Supplier of the Year Aventure Aviation

Aventure Aviation is the winner of the Parts Supplier of the Year award for 2022.

For over two decades, Aventure Aviation has provided support to many of the region's leading airlines. Their exceptional levels of customer service and solid dependability have earned them an unrivaled reputation for supplying parts to the industry in a timely, efficient,

and cost-effective manner. Aventure Aviation has received numerous awards from reputable organizations over the years, including the Exporter of the Year Awards, the Chamber of Commerce Global Impact Awards, and most recently, an award from the US Government Awards program, which was endorsed by the US President himself.

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AVIATION ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

MRO Innovation of the Year Etihad Engineering

Etihad Engineering win the MRO Innovation of the Year award.

When faced with the challenge of a lack of an Overhead Flight Crew Rest Module Removal and an installation dolly for the onsite maintenance of Boeing 777 aircraft, Etihad Engineering demonstrated both initiative and innovation by designing a hybrid dolly using an existing base from one aircraft manufacturer and then producing the upper half locally

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for aircraft from another OEM. Before deploying the tool on the aircraft, they obtained all necessary approvals from the OEM as well as from quality and safety teams. Etihad Engineering's innovative solution saved customers over six months of downtime, nearly $250,000 in savings, and helped the company generate revenue by enabling the timely completion of necessary heavy maintenance tasks.

Business News for the MEA region

AVIATION ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

MRO Service Provider of the Year for Business Aviation ExecuJet

ExecuJet MRO Services is this years’ winner of the award for MRO Service Provider of the Year for Business Aviation. ExecuJet MRO Services have had an exceptional year of leadership, growth and investment in our region. Specialising in Airframe, Avionics and Engine maintenance, they provide world class business aviation maintenance support from fifteen locations across the world. Their team of technical experts are trained and certified on a wide range of

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aircraft, including Bombardier, Dassault, Cessna, Embraer, Gulfstream, Hawker and others too. In a demonstration their commitment to the region, ExecuJet MRO Services recently built and developed a state-of-the-art 15000-sq-metre MRO facility based at Al Maktoum International Airport. The facility is capable of housing up to 24 business jets, including the Dassault’s Falcon 10X and large jets from other manufacturers.

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AVIATION ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

MRO Service Provider of the Year for Commercial Airlines Etihad Engineering

Etihad Engineering adds to their list of accomplishments by being named MRO Service Provider of the Year for Commercial Airlines. Despite the challenges of the pandemic and its aftermath, Etihad Engineering has consistently provided a world-class contribution to the industry through top-level service delivery, aircraft capacity, technical capabilities, and financial returns. They continue to be one of the world's leading aviation MRO

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Service Provider for Commercial Airlines.

Etihad Engineering is an MRO service provider with a team of approximately 2,000 professionals from over sixty countries.

In 2022, they oversaw the delivery of competitive MRO solutions to over 100 customers in the Middle East and the rest of the world, with over 200 aircraft delivered and over 25,000 components serviced and repaired at their state-of-the-art 500,000 square metre Abu Dhabi facility.

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Air Charter Service Provider of the year Chapman Freeborn

Chapman Freeborn wins Air Charter Service Provider of the year. Chapman Freeborn is a leader in business aviation, providing world-class charter flight services across all industries. They maintain a strong focus on safety, quality and customer satisfaction and have built a reputation as one of the most reliable and trusted operators in the industry. Chapman

Freeborn have an outstanding safety record and a diverse fleet of aircraft and their strong commitment to investment in innovative technology ensures the most efficient and safe operations. Their placing of a strong emphasis on customer satisfaction which is provided by their team of dedicated professionals brings unique, tailored service solutions to clients.

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AVIATION ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

Aircraft Management Service Provider of the year Empire Aviation

Empire Aviation wins the award for the Aircraft Management Service Provider of the year. Empire Aviation operates one of the Middle East’s largest managed fleets of business jets and also operates a sales office in the USA. They can provide owners with several options on where to base their aircraft with a choice of registries including The United Arab Emirates, San Marino

and India or private registries such as The Cayman Islands or The Isle of Man. Empire Aviation can provide integrated, fully comprehensive and highly personalised premium facilities that encompass all of

the major services associated with aircraft management including flight operations and charter, as well as aircraft sales and Continuing Airworthiness Management Organization - CAMO.

Collaboration of the Year in Business Aviation Empire Aviation

Empire Aviation takes this years’ award for Collaboration of the Year in Business Aviation. In December 2022, Empire Aviation signed an agreement with the Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub at Dubai South to develop a new, multipurpose business aviation facility. The agreement was signed by Tahnoon Saif, CEO of Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace

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Hub and Paras P. Dhamecha, Founder and Managing Director of Empire Aviation Group. The project is due for completion by the end of 2024 and will be a mixeduse facility and the new global corporate headquarters of Empire Aviation Group, as well as the Operations control & CAMO

Business News for the MEA region

for all group operations. Meeting ultrahigh-quality standards expected in Dubai, the facility will also provide premium office space for aviation and related companies, luxury retail F&B outlets and a rooftop lounge for entertainment and events.

Ground Support Services Provider of the year UAS International Trip Support

UAS International Trip Support is the winner of the award for Ground Support Services Provider of the year.

With the post-pandemic demand for ground support services increasing by two hundred percent, UAS International Trip Support, a premium provider of ground support services across the globe, has ensured both operators and passengers a smooth and a stress-free travel experience. Their team of VIP Supervisors

(now extended to key airports across the Americas, and with more to come) have a wealth of experience and local knowledge and handle all pre-planning and information checks to ensure high-quality

service. UAS International Trip Support provide their international customers with the highest levels of service for all of their trip planning needs, and so allowing them to focus on their business.

Aviation Sustainability Award for Business Aviation UAS International Trip Support

UAS International Trip Support takes the award for Aviation Sustainability Award for Business Aviation. UAS International Trip Support is a pioneer in sustainable aviation and committed to lowering carbon emissions. They are taking the necessary steps to make sustainable aviation a reality,

such as recently implementing an initiative in which they will not charge handling fees for sustainable aviation fuel ordered by operators for the next six months. This

is a groundbreaking initiative that will have a long-term impact on the aviation industry, and it is one of the reasons they were chosen as winners of this award. mea-biz.com

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AVIATION ANNUAL GALA EVENING

The Aviation Annual Gala Evening is Back

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he Aviation Annual Gala Evening (AAGE), the region’s leading invite only event for Senior Aviation will take place on the 14th November 2023. The event will again take place on an exclusive 220ft megayacht berthed outside Pier 7, Dubai Marina. The deluxe venue is lavishly designed with custom-built interiors and first-class amenities. Guests will enjoy an amazing cruise along Dubai’s shoreline, with captivating views of the famous Palm Island, the Dubai skyline and Iconic buildings such as the Burj Al Arab. Guests will also be entertained throughout the evening by a live band and special entertainment.

The Aviation Innovation Awards which also takes place during the Gala Evening will recognize some of the region’s most outstanding aviation individuals and organizations. The awards will honour exceptional technological, operational and sustainability innovations.

The Gala Evening and Awards attracts a wide variety of leaders from the Middle East and internationally. For more information on the event visit www.aviationgala.com or contact ken@cme-media.com

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Business News for the MEA region

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AVIATION ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

Flight Operations System Excellence award Hadid International Trip Support

Hadid International Trip Support is the winner for the Flight Operations System Excellence award. Hadid International Trip Support are the developers of the ground-breaking COMPASS system which, with the capacity to handle thousands of international flights seamlessly and efficiently, makes this proprietary flight operations system and CRM a highly powerful tool in the aviation industry.

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The COMPASS system is a testament to Hadid International Trip Support’s commitment to innovation and excellence.

It is an upgrade of their pioneering MASTER system, which has been time honored by its clients for many years. Hadid International Trip Support have indeed taken flight operations management to the next level, providing clients with unparalleled service and support.

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ESG Excellence Award Topcast

Topcast are the winner of our ESG Excellence Award for 2023.

Topcast is a global supplier of parts, services and solutions for the aviation industry that places sustainability at the forefront of all their activities. They take active pride in their long history of working with suppliers that share their environmental and social values. Their

participation in social and environmental initiatives, strict monitoring of every part of their operations to maximise environmental considerations and their launching of a social media campaign to bring ESG to the attention of their followers, demonstrates that Topcast is genuinely committed to showing that business and values can align for prosperity. mea-biz.com

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AVIATION ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

Engineering Innovation of the Year Honeywell

Honeywell took the top spot in the award for Engineering Innovation of the Year Honeywell has developed a revolutionary, integrated flight deck which heralds a whole new era of flight. It is drawn on their deep and extensive aerospace experience, and it marks the first cloud-connected cockpit system that can be customized for virtually every type of aircraft, including in

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the rapidly emerging Advanced Air Mobility segment of the industry. Honeywell’s new integrated flight deck is gaining a lot of interest from UAS/UAM and the Air Taxis industries, which is also of much interest to regional countries such as United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as it perfectly aligns with their regional sustainability drives.

Business News for the MEA region

WORLD-CLASS EXPERIENCES FOR THE ENTIRE WORLD TAKES FLIGHT IN BAHRAIN

A state-of-the-art hub for the region and the globe, BIA is a world-class boutique airport that’s designed to create innovative and technology-driven experiences.

Visit us as we take off to great new heights.

bahrainairport.bh

One-stop shop for comprehensive MRO solutions Airlines from around the world rely on us for a comprehensive range of aircraft maintenance solutions, from base maintenance to major modifications, connectivity and more, for most commercial aircraft types including the A350, the B787 Dreamliner and the A380.

We are the first Middle Eastern MRO service provider to receive the approval for major cabin design and modifications from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and have extensive cabin and back-shop capability, as well as Production Organisation Approval from EASA.

Our state-of-the-art MRO facility adjacent to Abu Dhabi International Airport is spread across 500,000 sqm, with heavy-maintenance hangars, dedicated aircraft painting facilities and 140,000 sqm of aircraft parking and preservation space onsite.

We serve a wide range of customers from the world’s leading flag carrier airlines to low-cost carriers as well as OEMs and lease operators, with a capacity of up to 20 lines.

Our dedicated Customer Focus Team is committed to adding value to your airline business with customised solutions, ensuring complete customer satisfaction from the start of every project to timely delivery and beyond.

Welcome aboard!

Follow us on LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/EYEngLinkedIn Visit our website: www.etihadengineering.com

Award Winners Magazine May 2022.indd 1

5/18/22 4:25 PM