As the price of crude oil continues to soar, airlines are under increasing pressure to find innovative ways to minimise fuel costs, with the adoption of light weight aircraft interior materials a key focus for many operators, says a leading Swiss-based company.

The Tisca Tiara group, one of the world’s top premium quality textiles developers and manufacturers for the aircraft interiors segment, said that nearly all carriers - even low-cost airlines - are looking for ways to run their operations more efficiently without compromising their services in the ultra-competitive industry.

“Fuel costs are spiralling for the entire industry, which is having a significant impact on many operators’ bottom lines. These rising operating costs are forcing airlines to get creative in their thinking and to examine new ways of reducing their fuel consumption or face extinction,” said division manager – Mobility Textiles, Tisca Tiara group, Matthias Tischhauser.

Cabin weight reduction is one of the solutions, and something that is already being implemented. Airlines are pulling out all the stops to reduce their loads with recent media reports stating that some are going as far as switching from metal cutlery to plastic sets to save vital kilograms.

However, many players in the aircraft interiors design field are looking at less drastic and more effective measures. One such company is the Tisca Tiara group, which has developed an innovative new lightweight carpet.

This new textile, which will make its regional debut at Aircraft Interiors Middle East (AIME) next month in Dubai, amounts to a 25 per cent weight-saving compared to standard aircraft carpets.

And with industry figures reporting that a plane saves 34,000 litres of fuel per year for each kilogramme less in weight per seat, this can me a major plus for operators’ bottom lines.

“Airlines are being forced to increase their fuel surcharges to meet swelling prices, however this can’t continue forever as passengers won’t be able to afford to travel. As such, airlines need to look at innovative ways to reduce aircraft weight,” said Tischhauser.

The Tisca Tiara group is one of over 90 new companies from 15 countries exhibiting at AIME 2008 - the dedicated event serving the aircraft interiors sector which debuts this June at the Dubai International Conventions & Exhibitions Centre (DICEC). Displaying a wide range of new-to-market products, the exhibition is a must-attend for the region’s booming aircraft interiors market.

“AIME is all about showcasing the latest trends and innovations within the interiors market. Over recent years we have seen huge advancements in this field, which is only set to develop further as many regional airlines look to expand their carrier fleets over the next five years,” said director, F&E Aerospace, the company behind many of the region’s top aerospace exhibitions including AIME 2008 and the Dubai Airshow, Alison Weller.

For this year’s event, F&E Aerospace has also launched a dedicated hosted buyer programme. This initiative is being implemented to foster an increased B2B setting for the industry’s key decision makers and suppliers.

To date, carriers that have signed up for the hosted buyer programme include Afriqiyah Airlines, Air Maroc and Kuwait Airways, with further slots being allocated to potential companies.

In addition, many of the region’s biggest names have already confirmed their attendance such as award winning Emirates airlines; Etihad, the UAE’s national carrier; Bahrain-based Gulf Air; Royal Jet, the international luxury flight services company headquartered in Abu Dhabi; and the UAE’s Amiri Flight.

The exhibition is being held under the patronage of president, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Government of Dubai and president and CEO of the Emirates Group, Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum. – TradeArabia News Service