Juan Picon, Vice President Defense & Space International at Honeywell Aerospace and Brig. Gen. (R) Dr. Hassan Yousuf Chief Executive Officer, Global Aerospace Logistics at Global Aerospace Logistics signing ceremony
Two days after my first Dubai blog post and we remain in full throttle here at Chalet A2. Our diaries are packed with customer and prospect meetings, press interviews and seminars, as the pace of the final major international event of the year continues unabated.
The theme of my engagements so far have been largely consistent - our customers are asking me how they can continue to deliver more to their customers, improve passenger experience and safety, whilst simultaneously reduce spiralling operational costs and increase performance and fuel efficiency.
It’s a similar story for our defence customers too, many of whom are operating across the Middle East in challenging environmental and financial conditions. Regardless, they are striving to fly smarter through the expansion of fleet capabilities and lifecycles. I’m pleased to say it’s a challenge Honeywell is able to tackle head on.
Responding to this demand, on Sunday we signed new agreements with two of the region’s most important defence distributors - Global Aerospace Logistics and Transworld Aviation. As part of these new deals, military operators across the Middle East and Africa will have even broader and faster access to Honeywell’s OEM-quality parts and servicing to help them maximise mission readiness of their fleets.
These are just two steps we have taken to get closer to our customers in the Middle East. But this commitment does not rest solely in the defence sector. Today we announced a significant contract with flydubai, which will see the airline benefit from Honeywell’s maintenance, repair and overhaul offering to maximise fleet availability in response to rising passenger demand. Additionally, Honeywell and Safran announced the first rolling tests for our electric green taxiing system. This system is designed to significantly improve airline operational efficiency and provide environmental benefits by reducing the carbon and other emissions created during runway taxi operations.
These announcements are indicative of this market’s desire for the very best that the industry has to offer, and I continue to be impressed by the ways in which we are able to navigate around market challenges through innovation. With the 40th anniversary of the UAE only two weeks away, congratulations are in order for the organisers of this year’s Airshow, and indeed to this remarkable region for its success in taking its rightful place as one of the world’s most important economies. This year’s Dubai Airshow has once again proved itself to be an outstanding and worthy showcase of this success.
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