Dubai: MRO Middle East and Aircraft Interiors Middle East (AIME) will commence their 17th edition in Dubai on 4th and 5th February, 2026. This event marks the largest staging of the region's leading aviation aftermarket gathering as the demand for maintenance, repair, overhaul (MRO), and cabin interior solutions continues to increase.
According to Emirates News Agency, the event will be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre and will expand into an additional exhibition hall. For the first time, it will host more than 300 exhibitors and is expected to attract approximately 9,000 attendees. Global airline supply chain participants will present advancements in cabin design, AI-powered maintenance tools, robotics, supply chain solutions, ground support equipment, and safety technologies, reinforcing the region's role as a hub for aviation services and innovation.
The Middle East's commercial fleet expansion and increasing flight frequencies are driving a growing demand for MRO capabilities. The Aviation Week 2026 Fleet and MRO Forecast indicates that the region is the second fastest-growing MRO market globally, with demand projected to rise from US$7.8 billion in 2022 to $12.9 billion by 2031. The total regional MRO value is expected to reach $156 billion by 2034.
At the heart of the event, the Go Live Theatre will offer over ten hours of free content, featuring expert-led discussions on MRO and aircraft interiors. Companies such as Airbus, Boeing, DAE Engineering, Etihad Airways, flyadeal, flydubai, Kenya Airways, and Turkish Technic will participate. Matias Bjerregaard, a Predictive Maintenance specialist at Scandinavian Airlines, highlighted the event's importance in discussing the shift from reactive maintenance to predictive, data-driven operations.
New for 2026, the Skyward Innovations session will introduce a start-up pitch competition, allowing four emerging companies to present live on stage. Additional sessions will address topics including In-Flight Entertainment and Connectivity, infrastructure development, artificial intelligence, and sustainability. Industry representatives from Gulf Air and flydubai will share insights on connected cabin developments, while strategic discussions will explore infrastructure shaping the MRO landscape, alongside a dedicated panel on engine MRO developments.
The event will also feature dedicated networking areas, including an App Meeting Zone, an Airline Lounge for airline and lessor representatives, and an open Networking Zone. With record exhibitor participation, expanded features, and a strengthened content programme, MRO Middle East and AIME 2026 is set to play a central role in shaping the future of aviation aftermarket services across the Middle East and beyond.
