The First Middle East Aviation Outlook Summit, to be held in Abu Dhabi on February 27-28, has generated a great deal of interest within the industry, organisers said.

According to Symon Rubens, managing director of Terrapinn Middle East, the world- leading business media company which is organising the pioneering event, a large number of key decision-makers have already confirmed their participation, either as speakers or delegates.

"Senior executives, including many airline CEOs, are realising that this is one of the most important and significant aviation conferences ever to be held in the Middle East region and consequently registrations are well ahead of our expectations," he said. "The standing of the summit is boosted by the involvement of The Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA), which is co-staging the event with us."

CAPA has built an international reputation as the leading specialist aviation consultancy in the Asia Pacific, the Indian Subcontinent and Middle East regions and the latter is generally regarded as the most exciting aviation market in the world.

The latest names to join the world class line-up of speakers include Khalifa Al Mazrouei, chairman, Abu Dhabi Airports Company; James Hogan, CEO, Etihad Airways; Azran Osmar-Rani, CEO, AirAsia; Peter Harbison, executive chairman, Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation;  Abdul Wahab Teffaha;, secretary general, Arab Air Carriers’ Organisation (AACO);  Mubarak Hamad Al Muhairi, director general, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, Lee Tabler, CEO, Tourism Development Investment Co; and Eng Amiruddin Abu, director advertising division, Tourism Malaysia.

"Airlines and airports in the Middle East region are slated to have the potential to sustainably grow at levels which were previously unimaginable. It is a region that can no longer be ignored," said CAPA executive chairman, Peter Harbison.

"This Summit will therefore be a vital networking and discussion forum for the industry to come together to understand the implications of many major new developments, which collectively could rewrite the world aviation system.”

About 250 industry leaders including government ministers and CEOs from all major airlines, airports, investors, suppliers and tourism/property developers with an interest in the region, are expected to attend the event at the prestigious Beach Rotana Hotel & Towers. –TradeArabia News Service