Interiors industry seeing the first green shoots say show organisers

The good news for the interiors sector of the industry is that when the market changes airlines tend to react by changing cabin interiors. “There’s likely to be a constant development in interiors,” says Vern Alg, Industry Consultant to Aircraft Interiors Expo and former Director, Project Management , at Continental Airlines. “It might be at a slower pace than in previous years but it’s going to be sustained and what’s going to drive it is innovation and changes in the marketplace.”

 
Two factors are helping keep the interiors industry buoyant in tough times. Firstly there remains a large number of inefficient aircraft fleets still operating; to maintain a competitive stance Alg believes these airlines will have to buy or lease newer aircraft and that creates significant opportunities for the interiors supply chain.
 
Secondly the backlog of new aircraft deliveries has been keeping the cabin interiors sector busy over the last couple of years. Airbus for example reported a record number of deliveries in 2009 and the International Aviation Transport Association (IATA) says that around 1,300 aircraft are due to be delivered in 2010, representing 5.5 per cent of the fleet.
The resilience of the aircraft interiors sector is illustrated by the continuing level of interest in two major shows for the industry. The first is AIME, the sircraft interiors Middle East event at Airport Expo, Dubai Feb 28 to Mar 1 and the world’s leading event for the sector, Aircraft Interiors Expo, which takes place in Hamburg from 18-20 May.

The Hamburg show is now 95 per cent booked with the likes of B/E Aerospace, Lufthansa Technik, Recaro, LSG Sky Chefs and Premium Aircraft Interiors Group already signed up. The exhibition will also welcome 31 first time exhibitors this year. So while a certain amount of belt tightening could be necessary during 2010, the majority view is that now is the time to look to a post-downturn future and plan accordingly.
For this reason an important theme at this year’s Aircraft Interiors Expo will be how the cabin interiors supply chain can prepare for the expected upturn, while recognising that conditions are still challenging. “Airlines are looking for a changing mix in the cabin – some will look to change the cabin interior to be able to fine tune to meet both demand and current capacity,” said Ian Crawford, Group Exhibition Director at Reed Exhibitions. “Our exhibitors are continuing to research and develop innovative products to meet these stringent requirements and Aircraft Interiors Expo will once again provide them with an international showcase for their capabilities.”

Alison Weller, director of F&E Aerospace, organisers of AIME, said “The Middle East carriers and business aviation operators have continued to keep the interiors industry buoyant even during a downturn. AIME will give them the chance to look at taking the next step and we are pleased with the reaction from the market.”