After three years of online events due to the pandemic, Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) is finally set to return to Hamburg, Germany from 14-16 June 2022 for a physical event. With growing momentum in the recovery of air travel, the event returns at a critical time to reunite the industry, through face-to-face connections and the latest cabin innovations.
Data published by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) paints an optimistic outlook for the airline industry, with hopes that it is leaving the turbulence of the Covid-19 pandemic behind it. The data, which revealed an 11% increase in international tickets in recent weeks – the fastest increase for any two-week period since the crisis began – follows an Oliver Wyman report which found that the global fleet is anticipated to grow to 38,100 by 2032 – a compound growth rate of 4.1% over the decade.
AIX will welcome more than 400 aviation suppliers, filling 11 halls of the Hamburg Messe – a comparable size to the last physical event in 2019, demonstrating a commitment from an industry excited for the opportunity to network and demonstrate their latest products. Among those confirmed to exhibit include Boeing and Airbus, as well as industry stalwarts such as Safran, Stelia Aerospace, Diehl Aviation, Jamco Corporation, Collins Aerospace, Lufthansa Technik, STG Aerospace, Sabeti Wain Aerospace, Tapis Corporation and Recaro.
In addition, the event’s In-flight Entertainment and Connectivity (IFEC) Zone returns to offer attendees a chance to gain insights into the most up-to-date technology solutions, covering everything from servers to OTT systems, and 5G to VR from the likes of Astronics, Thales and Panasonic Avionics Corporation.
Building connections in person
Attendees will be keen to make the most of their time at this long-awaited event, so Reed Exhibitions, the show’s organisers, are introducing AIX Connect, a tool to help visitors plan their activities. With more than 400 exhibitors showcasing over 1,000 products, the tool will be useful in helping visitors make targeted business connections based on specific product requirements. AIX Connect is designed to help key airline buyers meet exhibitors during the show to build connections and discuss new projects.
Live seminars
Also returning to AIX, the free-to-attend CabinSpace LIVE Seminar Theatre will welcome cabin interior leaders to inspire and debate current market trends and challenges. The programme will include an industry market outlook from Cirium, Business Aviation panels, and insights from start-ups. Attendees can also join the team from Airbus Scale – an innovative unit that brings together corporate innovation, start-up engagement and company building activities to pioneer sustainable aerospace and to develop Airbus’s future programmes and businesses. A full programme of topics and speakers will be announced in the coming months.
The CabinSpace LIVE Seminar Theatre will also play host to the winners of the Crystal Cabin Awards – the only international awards for excellence in aircraft interior innovation. Celebrating its 15th anniversary, the awards recognise and honour the very best innovations for the aircraft cabin, spanning eight categories. The categories include Cabin Concepts, Cabin Systems, Health & Safety, IFEC & Digital Services, Material & Components, Passenger Comfort, University and, for the first time, the Sustainable Cabin category.
Gain a 360° view of the industry
The Passenger Experience Conference also returns to AIX, taking place on Monday, 13 June 2022. Welcoming renowned and acclaimed global aviation leaders, attendees can learn more about how the industry will be building back through a wide range of topics, from the growing importance of intermodal travel, to rapid digitalisation and sustainability.
Attendees at AIX can also access the co-located World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo (WTCE), which will celebrate its 10th anniversary at this year’s event. Drawing a wider audience to the show, the co-location with WTCE and the Passenger Experience Conference offers attendees a 360° view of the industry, providing a platform to identify products and services from all corners of the industry.
Polly Magraw, WTCE’s event director commented, “After three years since the last in-person event, we’re excited to bring the entire industry together once again in June. AIX continues to offer attendees the widest range of innovative products, ideas and solutions in one definitive marketplace. We’re counting down the days until we can once again facilitate the much-needed networking and sourcing opportunities needed to accelerate the recovery of the cabin interior and passenger experience industry.”
For more information and to register to attend, visit the Aircraft Interiors Expo website.
