Under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the United Arab Emirates, the Global Aerospace Summit 2012 will be held in Abu Dhabi from 16-19th April.

Hosted by Mubadala Aerospace, Global Aerospace Summit 2012 is an exclusive forum bringing together international and regional senior executives from across the aerospace, aviation and space sectors for a 4 day event that will promote cross industry thought leadership and discuss future growth strategies.

The Summit is also significant as the results of Abu Dhabi’s economic diversification, aided by multi-billion dollar investments in aerospace manufacturing, airline expansion and airport development, become visible to the industry at large.

Such results include Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) recent passenger milestone of one million passengers handled in November, a 16% year on year increase. In addition to these are Etihad’s recent $2.8 billion order for 12 Boeing jets (10 787-9 Dreamliners and 2 777 Freighters) and Yahsat’s first satellite, Y1A’s successful launch from Kourou, French Guiana in April 2011; Yahsat is also preparing to launch its second satellite, Y1B, from Kazakhstan later this year and Strata’s, Mubadala Aerospace’s manufacturing unit, recent contract award to provide wing components (flap track fairings) on the new Airbus A350.

Homaid Al Shemmari, Executive Director, Mubadala Aerospace, said: “We look forward to welcoming global leaders from across the spectrum, from airlines to original equipment manufacturers, and airport operators to space travel businesses to Abu Dhabi, to engage in high level strategy discussions that will have a real impact on the future direction of their respective sectors. We also look forward to demonstrating how the Summit will have an impact on citizens from the United Arab Emirates, through the Summit’s careers focused sessions. The good preparation done by Mubadala Aerospace for this summit will be apparent for all the participants from the various sectors, as another aspect of the excellence of the UAE, which has always shown through forums and exhibitions that are held in the UAE.”

Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive Officer James Hogan said: “Abu Dhabi’s emergence as a major centre of aviation technology and progress has been rapid. Today, Abu Dhabi is home to some of the leading names in all areas of the aerospace industry. As the emirate’s status as an international aviation hub grows, there is no reason this trend will not continue over the coming years.”

HE Khalifa Al Mazrouei, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Airports Company, said: “The Abu Dhabi Government’s valued recognition of the Global Aerospace Summit 2012 underlines the importance of this event as a forum to drive the industry forward and to showcase the growth of Abu Dhabi as a diverse aerospace and aviation hub, especially with the launch of Nibras, the aviation complex in Al Ain, which is due to be built soon.  Abu Dhabi Airports Company is proud to play a key role in supporting this event, whilst spearheading the ongoing success and development of this dynamic industry and contributing to the delivery of Abu Dhabi Vision 2030.”

Jasem Al Zaabi, CEO of Yahsat, said: “As one of the pioneers of the UAE’s satellite communications industry, helping to diversify the economy and create the jobs of tomorrow, Yahsat is delighted to be associated with Abu Dhabi’s inaugural Global Aerospace Summit.”

Among the confirmed participants to the Summit: James Albaugh, CEO, Boeing Commercial Airlines; Marwan Lahoud, Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer, EADS; Francois Auque, CEO, EADS Astrium; Mary Ellen Jones, President, Engine Alliance; August Wilhelm Henningsen, Chairman, Lufthansa Technik AG; Miles Cowdry, Director of Global Corporate Development, Rolls-Royce; Reynald Seznec, President & CEO, Thales Alenia Space; George T. Whitesides, CEO and President, Virgin Galactic.