Against this backdrop, the nation’s capital is getting ready to play host to the 2nd Civil Aviation Week – Airport & Airline 2008 Expo from 18-20 March 2008 at Pragati Maidan. Organized by the Exhibitions India Group, the event is designed to bring together global players and Indian corporations in the field of civil aviation to provide a comprehensive solutions package to buyers and sellers under one roof.

The 2nd Civil Aviation Week – Airport & Airline 2008 Expo will feature dedicated events focusing on Airports & Airlines, General Aviation, Aircraft Interiors, Air Cargo & Logistics; In-flight Catering & Entertainment; and Maintenance Repairs & Overhauls (MROs). It will bring 150 exhibitors from 18 countries to showcase their latest products, services and technologies aimed at improving the quality and ease of air travel in India.

GMR – Hyderabad International Airport Limited will be showcasing the brand new Hyderabad International Airport at the event, which will be officially dedicated to the nation on 16th March 2008.

For the first time, the New Zealand aviation industry will participate at the event with a substantial exhibit area. As Partner Country, New Zealand will showcase its aviation training expertise at the New Zealand Pavilion, organized in conjunction with the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and Aviation New Zealand, and seeks collaboration with Indian players.

Manitoba, an aviation hub in Canada, will also be leading a largest-ever aviation delegation to the event, aiming to foster closer business co-operation between their companies and the Indian civil aviation industry.

Key participants from the Indian aviation industry at the event include Blue Dart Aviation, Delhi International Airport Limited, Hyderabad International Airport Limited, Deccan Aviation, Kingfisher Airlines, GE Commercial Finance, Punj Lloyd Aviation, GATI, Safexpress, IBM India Pvt. Ltd., Siemens Ltd., TATA Motors and Paramount Airways among others.

An “APAI Excellence Awards” ceremony conducted by the Air Passengers Association of India will be held during the Opening Ceremony of the event.

Ernst & Young Pvt. Ltd. – One of India’s leading consultancy firms and the exclusive “Knowledge Partner” to the event will also release a comprehensive study on the Indian Aviation Industry and its future challenges, during the event.

A major highlight of the event is a CEO Round Table on Aviation hosted by Exhibitions India, Ernst & Young, and NDTV Profit. Some of the most influential names in the aviation industry, including Shri Ashok Chawla, Hon’ble Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Govt. of India, Dr. K. Ramalingam, Chairman, Airports Authority of India, Mr. B.S. Shantharaju, CEO, Delhi International Airport Ltd., Mr. S. Bharath, Managing Director & CEO, Cochin International Airport Ltd., Mr. Kapil Kaul, CEO, Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation, Mr. Raj Shekhar Agarwal, Director, Bengal Aerotropolis Projects Limited, Mr. Manav Singh, Managing Director & CEO, Club One Air and Ms. Tulsi Mirchandaney, Managing Director & CEO, Blue Dart Aviation will participate at the panel discussion, which will be jointly moderated by Ernst & Young and NDTV Profit. The “CEO Round Table on Aviation” will also be telecast on NDTV Profit.

A three-day international conference, held concurrent to the exhibition, will witness some of the world’s best aviation minds deliberate over critical issues pertaining to India’s civil aviation industry. The inaugural conference session on “Airports Management & Development” will be chaired by Dr. K. Ramalingam, Chairman, Airports Authority of India and will include a keynote address by Mr. G.M. Rao, Chairman, GMR Group. The session aims to provide key solutions to the industry with respect to the current development s in airport infrastructure taking place all over the country.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India is the Sponsor/Supporter of the 2nd Civil Aviation Week – Airport & Airline 2008 Expo. The event is also supported by the Airports Authority of India, which will showcase its modernization plans for 35 non-metro airports in the country. A host of leading associations including the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) are supporting and endorsing the event.