Aerospace industry world leaders touchdown in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, Leading global players in the fields of aerospace, aviation and space are in Abu Dhabi as the eagerly-awaited Global Aerospace Summit prepares to start at the St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort. Over 700 influential aerospace, aviation and space powerbrokers and thinkers will be here throughout the week for pioneering cross-industry thought leadership - discussing ongoing industry issues and tackling key topics such as globalisation, innovation, regulation and new business opportunities. Homaid Al Shemmari, Executive Director of hosts Mubadala Aerospace said: "With Abu Dhabi's growing involvement in the aerospace industry, it speaks volumes that speakers and delegates of this calibre are meeting here. We are confident that the Summit will deliver very positive outcomes both for the sector and the region." Attended by senior government representatives and corporate executives, the Global Aerospace Summit will incorporate three themes: aerospace, aviation and space, which will be discussed during panel discussions, strategy sessions and field trips to aerospace and aviation facilities. The Summit also includes a dedicated careers program targeting vocational and professional development to be attended by 100 of the UAE's brightest student prospects. Global Aerospace Summit's opening address will be delivered by H.E. Mr. Sultan Al Mansoori, the Minister for Economy of the U.A.E. To close the first day of the Summit, Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, CEO and Managing Director of Mubadala will host a gala dinner at Jumeirah Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi, enabling further collaboration and networking opportunities for the Summit's delegates. Among the individual speakers and delegates are James Albaugh, CEO, Boeing Commercial Airlines; Marwan Lahoud, Chief Strategy '&' Marketing Officer, EADS; George T. Whitesides, CEO and President, Virgin Galactic and Tony Tyler, Director General and CEO of the International Air Transport Association (IATA); plus leaders of all the region's leading lights in aviation and aerospace including Akbar Al Baker, CEO of Qatar Airways; Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of FlyDubai; James Bennett, CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports Company; and James Stewart, Group CEO of the Mubadala Aerospace MRO Network. On Day One, a state of the industry address by Tony Tyler, CEO of IATA will be followed by panel sessions on meeting the Aviation Industry's current and future challenges; overcoming regulatory constraints; investing in airport capacity; and the environment, fuel prices and legislation. Day Two features sessions on Satellites as tools for regional economic development' and Commercial space business: a new era' as well as on the global aerospace supply chain. - Emirates News Agency, WAM