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Ahmed bin Saif opens APEX

Abu Dhabi, March 19th, 2007 (WAM) - Plans to establish Abu Dhabias one of the world's most sophisticated aviation gateways cameunder the spotlight today as a major aviation conference openedin the UAE capital.

Attracting delegates and speakers from airlines around the worldand sponsored by Boeing, the Aviation Procurement and FinanceConference was officially opened by the event's patron, Dr SheikhAhmed bin Saif Al Nahyan, Chairman of Etihad Airways and the Gulf Aircraft Maintenance Company (GAMCO) .

The three-day conference, taking place in the state-of-the-artAbu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, is part of the AviationProcurement Expo (APEX), an important new initiative to assistthe ambitious expansion plans of Etihad Airways, create a world-classinternational airport in Abu Dhabi and reinforce the emirate'sposition as a major aircraft maintenance and repair hub.

Etihad , one of the world's fastest growing airlines with a currentUS$8 billion order for 29 new aircraft, has far-reaching plansto expand its international route network with passenger levelsexpected to grow from 3 million in 2006 to 4 million by the endof this year. Etihad 's expansion is being matched by a US$6.8billion airport re-development project recently launched by thenewly formed Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) .

Already well established as a major international aircraft maintenanceand repair hub through GAMCO , Abu Dhabi also has a number ofnew aviation sector support facilities in the pipeline. Air FranceIndustries is to open a Logistics Centre to handle Boeing andAirbus components, while Lufthansa is teaming with Amiri Flightto launch a VIP Maintenance Centre.

The Aviation Procurement and Finance Conference focuses on procurementissues facing modern airlines and features presentations by headsof procurement and finance from major airlines around the worldas well as industry experts and consultants.

Sheikh Ahmed was accompanied by the organisers, as he cut theribbon to officially open the event. He then gave a welcome addressto the 200 delegates from international airlines and relatedindustry sectors before listening to opening remarks deliveredby a senior representative of ADAC , on Abu Dhabi's aviation vision.

James Hogan, CEO of Etihad Airways, gave the keynote speech inwhich he discussed the role of the UAE's national airline withinthe emirate's overall aviation vision and revealed how its strategyfor the future was aligned with Abu Dhabi's economic, socialand cultural development.

Other speakers today included John Matthews of Boeing CapitalCorporation, speaking on the current state of aircraft finance,and Neil Miller of global corporate law firm Norton Rose on Shariahcompliant financing of aircraft. Day two will include a presentationby Silla Maizey, Head of Procurement and Finance Operations forBritish Airways, outlining the strategic value of streamliningprocurement for airlines. On the final day a workshop run bythe UK-based Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply willlook at risk management and negotiation strategies in purchasing.

Laith Kubba of Streamline Marketing Group said: "APEX has beenlaunched to support the development of Etihad , ADAC and GAMCOand is a forum for key officials from major airlines and relatedindustry sectors around the world to share their expertise inaviation procurement. The event also includes an exhibition ofnearly 70 top aviation suppliers allowing the three organisationsto view and test new products and services on their doorstep."