Fairs & Exhibitions (F&E) has launched its fifth aviation focused event – Aerospace Training & Recruitment (ATR).

Predominantly a conference with a supporting exhibition, ATR, which will make its debut at Airport Expo Dubai from March 1-2, 2009, will be dedicated to growing Middle East demand for aerospace training, recruitment and simulation as the region’s aviation industry, which will see close to 2000 aircraft delivered in the next 20 years, the organisers said in a statement.

“Massive growth from regional carriers, which is predicted to need 8,000 additional pilots by 2025, and with more than $80 billion being invested in GCC aerospace infrastructure, demand for skilled aviation professionals is at an all time high in the Middle East,” said F&E Director-Aerospace Alison Weller. “Additionally the training of nationals is also being prioritised in the regional aviation industry.”

“With the growth of the Middle East aviation industry there has been a resultant skills shortage, with airlines and aviation companies desperately searching for talented employees, spurring demand for indigenous and overseas training and recruitment agencies. This conference will probe training requirements and provide a network for aircraft operators, trainers and recruitment companies, along with suppliers, to meet and identify solutions to satisfy regional demand,” he said.

F&E is courting an international speaker line-up of leading aerospace experts to provide highly sought-after workshops covering new and progressive training options and the use of cutting-edge simulation technologies. Breakout sessions will focus on the most pressing training needs such as crew development, recruitment and pilot training, the organisers said.

ATR’s associated exhibition will feature international training academies, recruitment companies and training/simulation suppliers.

ATR is the latest edition to F&E’s growing aerospace exhibition and conference portfolio. The company also organises the Middle East Business Aviation (MEBA) conference and exhibition on behalf of the Middle East Business Aviation Association. MEBA is now a biennial event with the 2008 edition scheduled for November next year.

Aircraft Interiors Middle East (AIME) is a new event emerging from F&E's dedicated Aerospace Division. It will be held at the Airport Expo Dubai in June 2008 and will service the region's rapidly developing commercial and business aviation fleets.

And the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Middle East Exhibition & Conference, which caters to the growing regional demand for MRO, will debut in early 2009. The event will be organised in conjunction with AVIATION WEEK, which has an excellent track record of organising MRO events.

“The spectacular growth of the Middle East’s aviation infrastructure and airline and fleet development has enabled us to launch vertical events which bring a heightened focus to various sectors within the overall aerospace industry,” said Weller. – TradeArabia News Service