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Don’t over-react – innovate

Press conference panellists, from left, Klaus Brauer (Boeing), Bernhard Conrad (Lufthansa Technik), Klaus Röwe (Airbus) and Bob Langer (Airbus)

The Chinese have the same
word for crisis and chance and the aircraft interiors industry must use
innovation to capitalize on the opportunities that are created by the
economic downturn. So said Klaus Röwe, VP Cabin & Cargo at Airbus,
one of the panel of four leading industry experts that took part in the
press conference that marked the opening of Aircraft Interiors Expo
today, 31st March 2009.
 
His Airbus colleague, Bob Lange, Head of Aircraft Interiors Marketing,
added that “you only have to look at the exhibits on the floor below to
see how innovation is being applied to a range of areas.”
 
Klaus Brauer, Director, Passenger Satisfaction & Revenue, Boeing,
said that the focus is now on Super Premium class passengers who are
seeking a step down that nevertheless meets their expectations. “You
can’t let such a time pass without finding the opportunities in it”, he
said.
 
The need to be positive was echoed by Bernhard Conrad, SVP, Chief
Technology Officer, Lufthansa Technik, who said it was important that
the industry does not over-react to the economic downturn.
 
Katie Murphy, Event Director of Aircraft Interiors Expo, stated that
this year’s show featured over 500 exhibitors from 25 different
countries and that more than 170 airlines had pre-registered to visit.
 
The next Aircraft Interiors Expo takes place at the Hamburg Messe from 18 to 20 May 2010. www.aircraftinteriorsexpo.com