MRO Middle East and AIME 2026 Set to Return to Dubai

The 17th edition of MRO Middle East and Aircraft Interiors Middle East (AIME) will take place on 4–5 February 2026 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, marking the largest edition of the region’s leading aviation aftermarket event. The event will bring together the global airline supply chain as demand for maintenance, repair, overhaul (MRO) and cabin interior solutions continues to rise across the Middle East.

Following consistent growth in previous years, the 2026 edition will expand into an additional exhibition hall, hosting over 300 exhibitors and attracting approximately 9,000 attendees. Exhibitors will showcase the latest innovations in cabin design, AI-powered maintenance tools, robotics, supply chain solutions, ground support equipment, and safety technologies, highlighting the Middle East’s growing role as a global hub for aviation services and investment.

With the region’s commercial fleet expanding and flight frequencies increasing, the need for MRO capabilities is rising rapidly. According to the Aviation Week 2026 Fleet & MRO Forecast, the Middle East is the second fastest-growing MRO market globally, with demand expected to grow from $7.8 billion in 2022 to $12.9 billion by 2031. The total MRO market value in the region is projected to reach $156 billion by 2034, emphasizing the importance of events that connect operators, OEMs, suppliers, and service providers.

The event will feature the Go Live Theatre, offering more than ten hours of free content, including expert-led discussions across MRO and aircraft interiors. Industry leaders from Airbus, Boeing, DAE Engineering, Etihad Airways, flyadeal, flydubai, Kenya Airways, and Turkish Technic will participate.

Matias Bjerregaard, Predictive Maintenance Specialist at Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), will join a panel on predictive maintenance. He said: “This event provides a key platform to discuss how the industry is moving from reactive maintenance to predictive, data-driven operations. Airlines face growing complexity, tighter margins, and higher expectations for efficiency and sustainability. At MRO Middle East 2026, I will share practical experiences from SAS on embedding predictive maintenance and aircraft health monitoring into everyday engineering decisions.”

New for 2026, the Skyward Innovations session will host a start-up pitch competition, allowing four emerging companies to present their ideas live. Other sessions will cover topics such as in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC), AI, infrastructure development, sustainability, and more.

Representatives from Gulf Air and flydubai will share insights on IFEC and the connected cabin. Riadh Ben Ali Jaidi, Aircraft Systems Duty Manager at Gulf Air, said: “MRO Middle East and AIME 2026 are central to innovation and collaboration in the region. Gulf Air is committed to operational excellence and supporting the growth of Middle Eastern fleets. My session will explore how integrating IFEC on aircraft is redefining maintenance and improving passenger experiences.”

The programme will also feature strategic discussions on infrastructure developments shaping the MRO landscape, with contributions from DAE Engineering, Sanad, Saudi Arabian Airlines Group, and Asia Digital Engineering (ADE). A dedicated panel will focus on engine MRO developments, featuring AFI KLM E&M, Turnpoint Advisory, SR Technics, and StandardAero.