AIX returns as the aviation industry takes flight for a record year

With more than 4.2 billion passengers set to take flight over the next 12 months^[1], Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) returns to Hamburg, Germany at the perfect time. From 6-8 June 2023, the world’s leading marketplace for the aircraft interiors supply chain is expecting the top 70 airlines – including Emirates, Japan Airways, and Qatar Airways, as well as Air France, British Airways, Delta and more – to attend alongside major OEMs Airbus and Boeing, as industry professionals look for innovative solutions that will shape the future of passenger experience.

What to expect at AIX

More than 1,000 products will be on display from leading global airline and cabin interior suppliers. The industry leaders returning to the event include seating specialists Safran, RECARO Aircraft Seating, JAMCO Corporation, and HAECO Cabin Solutions; and in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) providers Panasonic Avionics, Thales Group, Astronics Corporation, Latitude Aero, andBluebox Aviation Systems. 

Visitors will find solutions for every aspect of the airline interior environment, including cabin management systems, seating, flooring solutions, galley equipment, IFEC, interior paints and coverings, lighting, lavatory and waste equipment, seating, and more.

Among the innovations that will be showcased during this year’s event, ST Engineering will present the world’s first expandable lavatory designed for Passengers with Reduced Mobility (PRMs). The ACCESS Lavatory fulfils the U.S. Department of Transportation’s proposed guidance on accessible lavatories, pushing the boundaries of innovation with improved accessibility and comfort.

Wencor will display the Adams Rite Touchfree Wasteflap, which includes proprietary sensor technology for Touchfree waste disposal, while Aviation Glass & Technology BV will demonstrate its Aeroglass Interactive Mirrors; cutting-edge technology mirrors that become an integrated on-board communication platform, used to display images, signs, and videos.

Meanwhile, first-time exhibitors Aeras Aircraft Seating, Hughes, Lamberts London Limited, SkyFive AG, and Smiths MRO will showcase a host of innovative solutions to airline buyers.

The Catalyst for the Future of the Industry

The eagerly-awaited Passenger Experience Conference (PEC) returns on 5 June to CCH – Congress Center Hamburg, bringing together experts and visionaries from airlines, airframers, OEMs, suppliers, and design organisations to discuss the future of travel, onboard environments, and services.

The main plenary session at this year’s conference, titled, ‘A Vision of the Multi-modal Future,’ will focus on how the industry can meet the needs of passengers flying in the second half of this decade and beyond.

Among those confirmed to speak, Eric Bogner, Executive Creative Director at Teague, will discuss ‘Debunking the Seamless Journey,’ removing the barriers and pain points that make up part of the journey from point A to B through digitalisation, connectivity, and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Later in the day, he will join a panel of speakers including George Land, Executive Director Sales, Hybrid Air Vehicles to discuss preparations for 2030 and the new travel landscape.

PEC will then split into two streams that will run in tandem. The first, ‘Delivering for the New Generation of Passenger,’ will explore revitalising air travel and incorporating younger consumers into the mainstream market. Daniel Baron, Managing Director at LIFT Aero Design, will moderate a panel that will discuss how to define new passenger experience benchmarks, while Christopher Wood MBE, Aviation Accessibility Consultant and Founder of Flying Disabled, will speak about revolutionising air travel for passengers with reduced mobility. With a strong focus on accessibility, PEC and AIX will feature ways in which companies are making travel accessible to all; from wider alleyways to facilitate wheelchairs in the cabin, to finding new and innovative ways to allow passengers to maintain their privacy and dignity.

What’s more, with climate change and the reappraisal of international trading ties proposing challenges to aviation, sustainability will be a constant theme. The second stream of the programme will explore how ‘Succeeding in the Green Revolution’ for the industry and how the passenger experience community is innovating and readying itself to reuse, repurpose and recycle the cabin interior. Brenna Wynhof, Regional Director, Cabin Marketing at Boeing, will speak on the future of cabin interiors and offer a behind-the-scenes look at the company’s efforts to drive sustainability. Meanwhile, Tony Schifano, Founder and CEO ofAntos Environmental, will discuss how cabin waste, such as food and beverage packaging, can be transformed into a resource that will help reduce the carbon footprint of travel. A final panel of representatives from FORMIA, Safran Cabin and other industry leaders will review the steps required to plan for the low-impact future, assessing carbon neutral goals, and how airlines can make more sustainable choices.

With more than 15 sessions in total covering future-forward industry topics, delegates will leave the conference feeling inspired and prepared to tackle future challenges. The official PEC Welcome Party, following the conference from 18:00, will also offer invaluable networking opportunities, by bringing together the ‘who’s who’ of the industry under one roof – tickets are also available to non-conference delegates.

The Future of Inflight Entertainment and Connectivity

IFEC will continue to be a clear differentiator for airlines due to the increasing digital dependency of passengers. Against this backdrop, the highly popular IFEC Zone returns, providing attendees with access to experts, products, and services in this space. The zone will feature more than 50 exhibiting companies who will showcase their latest innovations and solutions, with products spanning wireless connectivity hardware and software, bring-your-own-device (BYOD) solutions, seatback systems, 5G, streaming platforms, content services and more.

IFEC giant Panasonic Avionics Corporation, whose systems power approximately 70% of the global IFE-equipped fleet, will demonstrate how its connectivity has been installed in over 3,400 aircraft cabins.Inmarsat, a world leader in satellite connectivity, will also show how satellite-based connectivity is an essential catalyst for the aviation industry’s sustainable recovery through its global high-speed networks. And aeroLiFi will present its high bandwidth wireless communication solutions based on LiFi technology.

Take a Deep Dive into the Aircraft Cabin

In addition to product innovation spanning seven halls, the event will offer unrivalled opportunities to hear and learn from the industry’s brightest minds. The free-to-attend CabinSpace Live Seminar programme, running on all three days, will help attendees plan for the future, connecting attendees with leaders and visionaries.

Tuesday’s sessions will be run in partnership with Inflight, sessions will cover a range of the most pertinent topics, including connectivity, accessibility, high-tech ancillaries, and aircraft seating. Attendees can get exclusive information on the latest product launches, discover new ways to meet existing and emerging passenger requirements, and more. The full programme for this year’s event will be announced in the coming weeks.

After the winners of the Crystal Cabin Awards are announced at a gala ceremony on Tuesday evening (6 June), successful participants will be invited to showcase their award-worthy designs at the show in an exclusive CabinSpace Live session. The session will offer attendees a glimpse of the future of air travel in cabin systems, IFEC, sustainable cabins, and five other categories.

Making Connections with AIX Connect

While dedicated show areas will help attendees easily navigate the plethora of innovations that will  overcome their current business challenges, the event’s innovative show planning and networking tool, AIX Connect, will enable attendees and exhibitors to meet during the show. With more than 5,000 confirmed meetings scheduled across three days at the 2022 event, AIX Connect will once again help attendees build business connections, discuss new projects, and facilitate the industry’s overwhelming desire to network and do business.

Polly Magraw, Event Director, Aircraft Interiors Expo, said: “Aircraft Interiors Expo 2023 plays a vital role in providing a centralised marketplace for the entire interiors supply chain to come together, not only driving the industry’s progress, but aiding in its recovery. Building on last year’s successful post-pandemic event, we are anticipating this year to be the biggest show yet, with over 7000 visitors set to attend.

“Our comprehensive programme of exclusive and insightful talks is complemented by many opportunities to network with the best of the industry, making AIX the ideal platform for building relationships, identifying new solutions and successfully planning for the future trends.”

Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) returns to the Hamburg Messe from 6-8 June 2023 in Halls B1 – B7. It will follow Passenger Experience Conference (PEC) on 5 June and is co-located with World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo (WTCE), which can be found in Halls A1 and A4. Together, the events provide passenger experience professionals with a unique opportunity to identify new products and solutions throughout the cabin.

Registration for Aircraft Interiors Expo 2023 is now open, visit http://www.aircraftinteriorsexpo.com to save your place, and create the cabin of the future:

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^{[1] https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/06/airlines-will-return-to-profitability-in-2023-after-three-year-slump-iata.html}