Global Aerospace Summit outlines need for decarbonisation and private sector growth

The board included representatives from Airbus, Boeing, Collins, Lockheed Martin, Lufthansa Technik, Raytheon Emirates, Saab, Safran, Sanad, Thales, Defense Services Marketing Council and Knighthood Capital.

The Advisory Board see the Summit as a critical opportunity for the highest level of executive leadership teams to work collaboratively on the future of the sector. They value the global nature of the Summit speakers and delegates and highlighted the need for a policy driven forum.

Key areas discussed included sustainability, implementation of digital technology, future mobility, supporting tech innovation ecosystems, 5G and connectivity, and access to markets. At the top of the agenda was the need for the aerospace sector to collaborate to combat climate change and to drive greater sustainability. The Summit will address the need for more investments in sustainable aviation fuel to help support decarbonization while exploring longer-term investments in hydrogen power and the necessary infrastructure.

Focusing on the digital theme of the Summit, the importance of CEO leadership groups in understanding and leading implementation of artificial intelligence and big data was also emphasised. The group expressed the need for greater innovation and creativity to solve challenges the industry faces amidst rapid digital transformation and technological advancement.

Also identified were ways for the Summit to provide a platform for SMEs, entrepreneurs and venture capitalists to engage with industry CEOs, bringing in new ideas and services to the aviation sector. This will be supported by a start-up programme at the Summit, focused on the technology whitespaces the aerospace sector needs new solutions for.

The drive towards an advanced private sector in countries like the UAE and KSA will make the Summit an important testing ground for strategies for industrial growth. The group also directed the Summit to ensure greater gender diversity and a continued focus on providing equal opportunities to women and high potential individuals from varied backgrounds within the aviation and aerospace sectors. The localisation of skills and knowledge and inspiring youth to become leaders of the industry is critical to future growth.

Timothy Hawes, managing director of Tarsus, Middle East commented: “Recent gatherings of industry leaders at Dubai Airshow 2021 has shown that whilst there are a number of challenges to overcome, there are just as many exciting opportunities and prospects. Sustainability and the transfer of skills and knowledge are critical topics for the industry. The potential for the private sector and entrepreneurship to grow, the advancement of technology and scope for new partnerships could all have profoundly positive impacts on the international aerospace sector. We are looking forward to bringing these discussions to the forefront of the industry’s minds during the next edition of the Global Aerospace Summit.”