FOD and Bird Strikes cost the aviation industry 4 billion per year in direct costs (Boeing Report).

With combined costs in excess of US $35,000 per 10K aircraft movements, FOD and bird strikes on the runway cost airlines roughly $21 per flight, and as much as $0.12 (12¢) per passenger (Insight SRI Report).

Dubai, UAE, 21st of August, 2011: HE Mohammed Ahli Director General, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) will deliver the keynote address at the 'Emerging Markets FOD and Bird Strike Prevention, Runway Safety Conference' - the first dedicated conference of its kind to be held in Dubai.

Taking place at Aviation Club Dubai on October 26-27 October, 2011, the conference will examine the risks posed by Foreign Object Debris (FOD) and Bird Strike which represent a huge cost-reduction opportunities available to the aviation industry.

It is estimated that internationally, FOD and Bird Strikes cost the aviation industry 4 billion per year in direct costs (Boeing Report). The indirect costs are as much as ten times the direct cost value, representing delays, aircraft changes, incurred fuel costs, unscheduled maintenance, etc. With combined costs in excess of US $35,000 per 10K aircraft movements, FOD and bird strikes on the runway cost airlines roughly $21 per flight, and as much as $0.12 (12¢) per passenger (Insight SRI Report).

Commenting on the importance of this conference to the aviation industry, H.E said: that DCAA have accredited the event and provided all the support to ensure the expected success of this event, this conference will enhance the aviation community perception and take DCAA Safety Marathon Campaign initiative in relation to FOD awareness, which was conducted in 2010 to a higher level. More than 3000 participants attended the campaign and workshop conducted over 15 days. The event was applauded and commended as a great success by all stakeholders and participants.  "While the incidence of FOD, Bird Strike and Runway safety related risks and costs involved are well understood there has been a limited attention placed upon prevention. I am sure this conference will provide many strategies related to FOD and Bird Strike exclusion and strike minimization and help save millions of dollars to the industry. I am delighted to be associated with this conference as keynote speaker."

Other speakers confirmed for the conference include some of the most famous aviation leaders, regional and UAE General Civil Aviation Authority top officials,  FOD and bird strike prevention and runway safety specialists  including Khalid Almazroui, Conference Chairman and General Manager of Fujairah International Airport; Chamsou Andjorin, Director AME. Aviation Safety and Regulatory Affairs - Boeing Commercial Airplanes; Neil Pritchard, Head of Airside, Heathrow Airport (U.K); Capt. Rob van Eekeren, Capitan, KLM Airlines; Oliver Weindl, Board Member German Birdstrike Committee (GBSC) & Wildlife Manager Munich Airport; Mazen Qursha, Manager Safety & Compliance, Dnata;  Kyle L. Olsen (Retd.), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); among others deliberating on topics related to operational as well as functional, regulatory, economic and legal aspects of the FOD & Bird strike risk to aviation, prevention techniques and equipment and technological advancements.

"We are so pleased HE Mohammed Ahli agreed to be a part of this conference," said Raj Menon, Managing Director of Arabian Reach, the organizers of the conference. "We think His Excellency will provide a dynamic element to the conference's agenda."

At the event participants will have an opportunity to interact and network with more than 200 Airline Personnel, Aircraft Owners, Aircraft Manufacturers & Suppliers, Aircraft Engine Manufacturers, Airport Operations Personnel, MRO Engineers, Government Authorities, Land-use Planners, Civil and Air Force Pilots, Researchers, and Waste Management Operators from GCC and other emerging markets worldwide.

Air BP, Emirates, Munich International Airport, Fujairah International Airport, Robin Radar Systems, DETECT and Safesky's are associated with the event as Sponsors. Arabian Reach FZ LLC, together with co-hosts Media Sultan Communications MFZ LLC is the organizers of the event.

-Ends-

Arabian Reach:
Arabian Reach is the UAE's progressive event organizer and publisher specializing in niche market segments of Logistics, Aviation, Airports, Oil and gas, Rail and Green Transportation. Arabian Reach publishes several industry publications, including the Airport Cities, Cargo Village News, Green ME, Rail ME and organizes leading industry Awards, including the Emerging Market Airport Awards (EMAA), and hosts a number of conferences. Established in 2008 in the International Media and Production Zone (IMPZ), Arabian Reach is well equipped to cater to all the requirements of these very important sectors. Its association with Media Sultan Group and with Middle East Aerospace Consortium has given the company a leading edge and excellent industrial reputation regionally.

Arabian Reach's forthcoming conferences include Iraq - Kurdistan Oil, Gas & Power Conference 2011 (in Erbil, Iraq), Emerging Markets FOD & Bird Strike Prevention Conference (in Dubai, UAE), Green Transportation & Logistics Summit ( in Abu Dhabi, UAE), Green Aviation Fuel Summit 2012, Multimodal Logistics Middle East conference (in Dubai, UAE), Kingdom Airports, Aviation and Logistics Exhibition & Conference 2012 (in Saudi Arabia), 2nd Annual Iraq Airport Expansion, Cargo & Logistics Exhibition & Conference 2012 (in Iraq).

For further information, please contact:
RAJ MENON
Conference Secretariat
ARABIAN REACH
Mobile: +971 55 415 3180 / +971 50 658 3622
Email: raj@arabianreach.com

© Press Release 2011