• Aircraft Interiors Expo 2007

By Ania Dardas

Billed as the largest exhibition devoted exclusively to aircraft interior design and airline cabin system engineering, the seventh Aircraft Interiors Expo is taking place at the Hamburg exhibition center in Germany from April 1 to 3.

Last year this phenomenally successful event attracted more than 11,700 visitors from 75 countries as well as 560 exhibitors, including representatives from more than 100 airlines. Visitors in 2008 are anticipated to be much higher. By November 2007, space for exhibitors was already 98% sold out, 91% of which were rebookings from the previous year.

Running in parallel are the Crystal Cabin Awards, which, although only launched last year, have already claimed a prominent position within the aviation industry. The Crystal Cabin Award rewards innovation in five categories: passenger comfort, greener cabin, health and safety, industrial design and interior concept, materials and components as well as entertainment and communication.

One of the main themes of the 2008 show is the use of extremely light-weight materials for various interior cabin applications. According to Walter Birkhan of the Joint Initiative ‘Hamburg – the place for aviation’, “the lighter the aircraft, the lower its fuel consumption. This brings down costs and reduces the environmental impact.”

The launch of new aircraft such as the Airbus A380 and Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner during 2007, means that visitors can expect to see a very wide range of innovations and new technologies, particularly in the first-class sector.