The inaugural Abu Dhabi Aviation and Aerospace Week, ADAAW, came to a close on Saturday after welcoming thousands of participants, guests, and key industry stakeholders to the UAE capital.

The event was held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

"The volume of visitors, quality of discussions, and measurable developments across the six events of Abu Dhabi Aviation and Aerospace Week reinforces the role of Abu Dhabi Emirate as the regional bastion of progress and innovation across the industry," said Mubarak Al Shamisi, Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau Director, a division of Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, TCA Abu Dhabi, a key organiser for the week.

"The success of a week that saw international delegates attend exhibitions, conferences and seminars that demonstrated the diversity of the aviation sector is indicative of our growth and continued efforts to bring to the world an event that highlights the best in commercial, military and private sector innovation," he added.

The Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, ADNEC, was the venue for three of the week’s six events: the second Unmanned Systems Exhibition and Conference, UMEX 2016, the first Simulation Conference and Exhibition, and the third Global Aerospace Summit.

Attracting the Armed Forces, industry stakeholders, academia and various government entities, UMEX 2016 and the Simulation Conference and Exhibition featured comprehensive displays, a conference, and live flying demonstrations that further showcased the latest trends and innovations in the Unmanned Aerial System, UAS, sector.

The Global Aerospace Summit was attended by around 1,000 senior executives from 59 countries who discussed the most pressing issues and trends within the aviation, aerospace, space and defence industries.

Hosted by Mubadala Development Company and organised by Streamline Marketing Group, the invitation-only strategic forum covered a wide-range of topics including globalisation, workforce challenges, air traffic management, safety and sustainability.

Homaid Abdulla Al Shemmari, Chief Executive Officer of Aerospace and Engineering Services at Mubadala Development Company, said, "Innovation in aerospace continues to spark our imagination. Facilitating critical discussions with the drivers of innovation across aviation, aerospace, defence and space is emblematic of Abu Dhabi’s position as the pinnacle of progress."

The second half of the week’s events witnessed the launch of Abu Dhabi Air Expo 2016, which included the Middle East Aviation Career Conference and Exhibition and the Abu Dhabi Heli Expo.

The event, held at Al Bateen Executive Airport, hosted thousands of visitors who interacted with over 300 exhibitors and close to 150 aircraft despite inclement weather conditions.

Source:WAM