Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) is set to showcase Al Ain International Airport as a strategic low-cost carrier hub for the Middle East, as it hosts its first Low Cost Airlines World MENA Conference at the InterContinental Hotel, Al Ain, from 3-5 November 2008.

HE Khalifa Al Mazrouei, Chairman of ADAC, host sponsors of the event, will deliver a welcome speech at the opening ceremony of the conference, which has been designed to bring together senior management of low cost airlines, airport operators and industry suppliers from around the world.

Al Mazrouei said in a statement released by the company prior to the opening of the event that ADAC has decided to host this important conference because it takes place in one of the aviation industry’s most dynamic markets. “We share the commitment of all conference participants to meet the needs of a price sensitive market, and to provide cost-effective solutions to travellers throughout the region,” he added.

Over a period of three days, various panel discussions and key note speeches are intended to provide a platform for debating key issues and for delegates to share information on best practice strategies from both international and local aviation leaders.

Rudy Vercelli, ADAC CEO, will sit on the CEO discussion panel, which will focus on the constant evolution of low cost airline business model. This opening session will underline the ‘myth to reality’ aspect of low cost airlines in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. It will also draw attention to three main airline issues - safety, reliability and quality. Panellists will be asked during the session to explain how can low cost carriers change the public perception of their low cost service and compete on more than price.

Stressing the importance of Al Ain Airport as one of the fastest and most efficient airports in the UAE, Vercelli pointed out that “aircraft arriving into Al Ain airport experience no holding patterns and taxi times less than three minutes; thus potentially saving over US$1 million in fuel consumption compared to other UAE airports”.

“Being a non-congested airport and having an efficient ground handling agent, Al Ain airport is able to offer carriers very fast aircraft turnaround times. Carriers operating into AAN will receive a personalised and efficient service from our award winning ground handling agent – Abu Dhabi Airport Services (ADAS),” he said.

Al Ain International Airport is clearly positioned to be an important and integral part of ADAC’s response to the growing and dynamic aviation market within the region. Throughout the conference ADAC will highlight the existing characteristics that make it well suited to service low-cost carriers.

Currently, the airport features seven walk up aircraft parking positions adjacent to boarding gates. Short passenger walk-up distances, as well as streamlined terminal designs ensure good passenger flow and allow quick turn around times.

Al Ain International also combines key operations requirements, such as a convenient location equidistant from the UAE’s main city hubs of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. It also offers easy access to the south and east borders of Oman.

With no airspace congestion and no aerobridges, short taxi distances and quick processing times, aircraft are able to utilise multiple cabin doors for embarking and disembarking passengers. For airlines using Al Ain International Airport, this translates into what could be considered as some of the fastest turnaround times in the region, an essential element of the low-cost carrier business model.

Al Ain International Airport further benefits from ADAC’s commitment to service and customer care, and unusual to most low-cost carrier airports, Al Ain employs ground staff specifically to look after passengers as they pass though the terminal.

Al Mazrouei said in his statement that “low-cost carriers have experienced significant growth over the past ten years, and today they play an important role in transporting people throughout the region. The LCC business model remains a relatively new concept for the Middle East and North Africa; however, as globalisation drives demand for greater, cost-effective connectivity, the case for low-cost carrier business models becomes more compelling”.

“Many airlines recognise the high growth potential of this market and we believe Al Ain International Airport to be of strategic importance to low cost carriers, knowing that it offers the right settings, environment, facilities and commitment for growth within the MENA region,” he pointed out.

With low-cost carrier airlines usually catering to travellers and destinations within a four-hour flying radius, the MENA and sub-continent catchment area provides for potentially more than one billion potential passengers. There are around 12 low-cost carriers operating in the region, a number which is expected to grow rapidly, particularly in North African countries.

Al Ain International Airport is approximately one hour’s drive from both Abu Dhabi and Dubai while also being conveniently situated on the doorstep of Oman. Operating 24 hours a day, its easily accessible single terminal has a capacity to handle over 1,000 passengers per hour.

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