SpeedNews' 22nd Annual Aviation Industry Suppliers Conference is scheduled for March 17-19, 2008, at the Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills, California.

Cette exposition présente l’évolution des instruments d’observation du XVIe siècle à nos jours et la construction progressive de notre vision du monde.

Le Musée du Temps a souhaité présenter les apports de l'Espace à cette problématique et a fait appel à l’Observatoire de l’Espace du CNES.

L’Observatoire illustre son partenariat avec le Musée par le prêt d’instruments liés à l’observation de l’univers depuis l’Espace, ainsi qu’une série d’illustrations et de documents audiovisuels portant sur les outils spatiaux utilisés pour l’observation de l’univers depuis l’Espace et les différentes observations qu’ils effectuent, et les résultats produits.

Au Musée du Temps, Palais Granvelle (96, Grande rue - 25000 Besançon), du mardi au samedi de 9h15 à 12h et de 14h à 18h, le dimanche et jours fériés de 10h à 18h.

Le climat révélé par les glaces, du 28 octobre au 30 avril 09, à Paris

Le Musée des arts et métiers présente durant six mois une grande exposition temporaire « Atmosphère… Le climat révélé par les glaces ». L’exposition aborde de nombreux domaines techniques et scientifiques tels que la chimie de l’atmosphère, la glaciologie ou encore la physique du globe.

En tant que partenaire, l’Observatoire de l’Espace contribue à cet événement en prêtant des documents audiovisuels, des modélisations informatiques, des instruments d’étude des pôles, de l’environnement terrestre et de l’atmosphère. Eléments incontournables de l’exploration de l’atmosphère, les ballons stratosphériques sont notamment à l’honneur avec la présentation d’une maquette de montgolfière infrarouge et d’un ballon pressurisé. En complément, l’Hydronaute, dispositif interactif et virtuel, donne au visiteur l’opportunité de visualiser les océans, les abysses ou encore la fonte des glaces.

Au Musée des Arts et Métiers (60, rue Réaumur - Paris IIIe), du mardi au dimanche de 10h à 18h, nocturne le jeudi jusqu’à 21h30.

Dans le cadre de l’exposition
ATMOSPHèRE…LE CLIMAT RÉVÉLÉ PAR LES GLACES

Une grande exposition temporaire sur l'atmosphère et le climat vous est proposée par le Musée des arts et métiers à l’occasion de « 2008 l’année de la Terre » décrétée par l’Unesco, de la quatrième Année polaire internationale et 50 ans après l’Année géophysique internationale.

Le propos
L'atmosphère terrestre, enveloppe de gaz qui permet la vie sur notre planète, est fragilisée et modifiée par les activités humaines. Sur Terre, les régions les mieux placées pour l'étudier sont les régions polaires. Hostiles et longtemps inexplorées, celles-ci sont devenues en 50 ans de véritables laboratoires de recherche. Dans des conditions extrêmes, des chercheurs venus du monde entier y effectuent des mesures dont les résultats concernent le changement climatique global. L'enjeu de ces recherches est triple :
- Comprendre comment l'atmosphère nous protège des rayons cosmiques ;
- Mesurer combien la composition chimique de l'atmosphère a été bouleversée ces dernières décennies ;
- Reconstituer l'évolution du climat passé et futur et mieux comprendre le rôle des régions polaires dans le moteur climatique mondial ;

Les mesures effectuées sur le terrain puis en laboratoire portent sur différentes couches de l'atmosphère et sont variées : température, rayonnements, concentration des gaz, composition et dynamique des masses d'air... Adaptés aux basses températures, les instruments scientifiques, au sol ou embarqués, recourent à de multiples technologies : forages profonds dans la glace, lancers de ballons-sondes géants, mesures optiques par faisceau laser, analyses chimiques sophistiquées... Et avec la révolution électronique et informatique il y a 50 ans, les supercalculateurs et les satellites ont bouleversé la recherche polaire permettant de suivre et de modéliser le climat passé et futur, l'évolution des océans, de la banquise, du volume des calottes glaciaires, la concentration des gaz... En raison des conditions extrêmes, la recherche en milieu polaire nécessite des moyens logistiques et techniques lourds et implique, depuis l’origine, une étroite collaboration internationale, dépassant les rivalités entre les pays et les convoitises économiques.

Mais, alors qu'elles sont pratiquement inhabitées et très éloignées des zones d'activité de l'homme, les régions polaires sont à leur tour dégradées ; sentinelles du changement climatique accéléré de la Terre, elles montrent combien les phénomènes sont liés entre eux et combien notre environnement est fragile.

Le parcours
Etendue sur plus de 500m2, l’exposition débute par une reconstitution de la base Charcot, première base française construite au cœur de l’Antarctique, à l’occasion de l’Année géophysique internationale (1957-1958). En écho à cette introduction, le parcours se termine par une évocation de la station franco-italienne Concordia construite en 2005 au coeur de l'Antarctique.

Entre ces deux espaces, le parcours comprend trois parties thématiques : haute atmosphère et les aurores, chimie de l’atmosphère dont les gaz à effet de serre et l’ozone, et enfin les changements climatiques révélés par la glaciologie et l’océanographie. Chacune de ces sections aborde trois périodes de la recherche : du XIXe au début du XXe siècle, les années 1950-1970 et aujourd'hui.

Exposition patrimoniale conçue par le Musée des arts et métiers, plus de 150 objets originaux y sont présentés : instruments scientifiques, objets personnels, documents d'archives, photographies, provenant des collections du Musée des arts et métiers et de trente musées, organismes de recherche et collections particulières, autant d’objets appartenant au patrimoine scientifique et technique national et international.


Cette exposition qui s’adresse à un public large et familial est placée sous le parrainage du Commissariat à l’Energie atomique (CEA), du Centre national d’études spatiales (CNES), du centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), de l’Institut français de recherche pour l’exploitation de la mer (IFREMER), de l’Institut polaire Paul-Emile Victor (IPEV), de Météo France ainsi que de Jean-Louis ETIENNE.
Le Weasel M29 (1947)

Après la Seconde Guerre mondiale, fini l’époque des traîneaux à chiens. Place aux expéditions scientifiques modernes avec des engins motorisés tout-terrain! Ce tracteur de plus de 2,7 tonnes a toutes les qualités.

Le Weasel M29 sera installé en extérieur, à l’entrée de l’exposition. Il sera visible depuis les rues Réaumur et Vaucauson.

Informations pratiques
Renseignements : Tél. : 33(0)1 53 01 82 00
Julie DELAPORTE et Marie Laetitia Bucchini
Musée des arts et métiers
Tél : 33(0)1 53 01 82 48
julie.delaporte@cnam.fr
marie-laetitia.bucchini@cnam.fr

Horaires : du mardi au dimanche inclus, de 10 h à 18 h. Nocturne le jeudi jusqu'à 21 h 30.

Tarifs : Plein tarif : 5,50 € / Tarif réduit : 3,50 €

Billets couplés avec la visite des collections permanentes du musée : Plein tarif : 7,50 € / Tarif réduit : 5,50 €

Accès : Métro Arts et Métiers (lignes 3 et 11), Réaumur-Sébastopol (ligne 4), Bus : 20, 38, 39, 47

10ème anniversaire du Stade de France :

le CNES participe à l'exposition gratuite "Retour sur Terre !"

Le Stade de France fête ses 10 ans cette année et a souhaité à cette occasion organiser un évènement tourné vers le futur et l'innovation. L'exposition "Retour sur Terre !" retrace l'histoire de l'aventure spatiale avec le concours du Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales, dans un parcours en trois temps : sur les grilles, avec les 80 plus belles images de l'exposition itinérante "50 ans de conquête spatiale", sur le parvis et dans la salle d'exposition avec une maquette du satelitte Spot 5, à l'échelle 1/2 et un pétale du téléscope Pronaos.

Pour plus d'informations : 01 44 76 76 87

Le Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace accueille une exposition exceptionnelle de photographies sur aluminium:
"JUSTE CIEL" de Manolo Chrétien.

Mardi 13 janvier 2009 LE NOUVEAU VISAGE DE VENUS
Pierre Brossart - Directeur de recherche CNRS à l'Observatoire de Paris

As air traffic in the Middle East region continues to grow and Arab governments invest in new airport facilities, the need for airspace optimisation in the region is of increasing importance to ensure the future efficiency of the global air transport system.

CANSO, the association of the world’s Air Navigation Service Providers, is pleased to announce its 1st Middle East ANSP Regional Conference which will be hosted by the General Authority of Civil Aviation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 26-28 January 2009 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

At yesterday’s annual general meeting of the Arab Air Carriers Organisation in Tunis, AACO secretary general Abdul Wahab Teffaha stated that the Middle East region still faces restrictions on air routes which had been in place for 50 years. While IATA director general Giovanni Bisignani, speaking at the AACO event, stated that the "next challenge" was to redesign the region's airspace.

This first Middle East ANSP Conference aims to facilitate the delivery of air navigation services across the region with the support of air navigation service providers and industry partners from around the world. The programme is designed in close collaboration with the National Air Navigation Services Company of Egypt and Serco, a service provider in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrein. The programme will focus on Airspace Planning and Safety, while reviewing operational and technical ‘best practices’ from around the world with the aim of stimulating closer cooperation between the region’s Air Navigation Service Providers and the global ATM community.

CANSO believes the 1st Middle East ANSP Regional Conference offers a unique opportunity for the Air Navigation Service Providers and their industry partners to support Middle East governments in seeking pragmatic cooperative solutions to enhancing regional airspace efficiency.

Providing The Highest Quality of Military Healthcare Through Collaboration And Interoperability

Meet The Confirmed Speakers:

Join 25+ respected strategic leaders in the US Military and DoD focusing on medical and healthcare transformation, including:

* Major General David A. Rubenstein
Deputy Surgeon General
U.S. Army
* Major General Patricia D. Horoho
Commander, Madigan Army Medical Center
Western Regional Medical Command
* Brigadier General Loree K. Sutton, M.D.
Director of the Defense Centers for Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury
* Alfred A. Hamilton, PhD.
Medical Chief Information Officer
U.S. Central Command
* Major General Deborah C. Wheeling
Deputy Surgeon General
U.S. Army National Guard
* Colonel Thomas Beach, MD
U.S. Air Force Medical Corps, Project Officer, AHLTA
Defense Health Information Management Systems (DHIMS)
* Brigadier General Michael Kussman
Principal Under Secretary for Health
Veterans Health Administration
* Robert M. Kolodner, MD
Director,
Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology,
Department of Health and Human Services

The Military Health Management Training Conference allows you to intimately sit down with the forward-thinking leaders and action-centered program managers to determine the best solutions to improve the medical care for our service men and women.

Intimately sit down with the forward-thinking leaders and action-centered program managers to determine the best solutions to improve the medical care for our service men and women.

The 3-day conference gives you and your peers the opportunity to:

* Address the integration and interoperability issues in military health IT
* Optimize combat care through medical force readiness and improved psychological health support
* Help develop concrete plans to transition and provide quality care to wounded warriors
* Strengthen the collaboration between DoD and VA in transforming military electronic health records


Who Should Attend

Military Health Management brings together the medical & health strategic leaders in the DoD and Military Services as well as representatives (physicians, nurses, medical officers) from US Military Hospitals to discuss the most critical issues in military medicine. Some of the job titles covered in this training conference include but not limited to:

Chief/Director/Deputy/Program Manager/Commander/Specialist/Project Officer:

* Combat care
* Casualty care
* Medical readiness
* Health readiness
* Health Information Technology
* Medical Information Systems
* Psychological/Trauma Health
* Medical Research
* Medical logistics




Reservations: 1-888-627-8209
Phone: (703) 486-1111 Fax: (703) 769-3970
Website: www.sheraton.com/crystalcity

Room Rate
WBR has negotiated a rate of $249.00 per night (plus tax) for Military Health Management attendees. To secure this rate, please call the hotel as soon as possible. We cannot guarantee the rate after 12/26/08 at 5:00pm.

Please call 1-888-627-8209 to make reservations under Military Health Management. Government Rates are based on availability and not a part of our block.

Time is running short to complete your registration for the CANSO Middle East ANSP Conference!

With the participation of all the most important Middle East Aviation Leaders, and support of industry suppliers such as Lead Sponsor Era Corporation, this event is already established as the leading ATM Conference in the Middle East during 2009. CANSO and our hosts GACA, Saudi Arabia look forward to welcoming you to Jeddah, and to the delivery of a framework for building ANS Capability in this crucial aviation region.

Key speakers include:

Mr. M. Khonji, Regional Director, ICAO Middle East Office

Dr. Majdi Sabri, Regional Vice President, IATA Middle East

Mr. Abdul Wahan Teffaha, Secretary General, AACO

Mr. Alexander ter Kuile, Secretary General, CANSO

With contributions by both some of the world’s leading ANSPs as well as local providers, we will be discussing:

Safety

Airspace planning

New operational/technical initiatives

Cooperation between service providers

How best practices can enhance ATM provision in the region

If you have not yet registered for this must-attend event, please note you only have 16 days to benefit from 20% Early bird registration discounts, and Middle East ANSP representatives register free of charge!

Programme and registration information can be found online at www.canso.org/middleeastconference. Make sure to register on time for your Visa!

marcpeter.pijper@canso.org | phone: +31 (0)23 568 5386 | fax: +31 (0)23 568 5389

Why should I attend?

Total Asset Visibility will cover the three major technologies that are used to track defense assets: RFID, UID, and ERP software. These technologies work in tandem to achieve a greater level of asset visibility and the ability to exploit that visibility for the most effective supply chain management. An emphasis will be placed on RFID specifically. Why is TAV important right now? There has been a major change in competition for supply chain technology. The DoD is releasing major contracts for new RFID and AIT systems. PMJ-AIT has released RFP’s for active RFIDs capable of transmitting comprehensive data. SAVI was once the proprietary owner of all active RFID, but they have lost that title and are now in the bidding war. The 5th Annual Total Asset Visibility conference couldn't come at a better time.

Expert speaker panel includes:

* VADM Ann Rondeau, USN
Deputy Commander
USTRANSCOM
* LTC Patrick Burden
USA Product Manager
Joint- Automatic Identification Technology
* Grover Dunn, SES
Director of Transformation, Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Installations and Mission Support
US Air Force
* Dr. Marlin Mickle
Nickolas A. DeCecco Professor, and Director, RFID Center of Excellence
University of Pittsburgh
* Dr. Peter Hawrylak
RFID Center of Excellence
University of Pittsburgh
* Karen Blanck
Deputy Program Manager, Asset Visibility
DLA
* Robb Clarke, MBA, PhD
MSU School of Packaging Auto-ID Testing and Research Center
Michigan State University
* Dr. Dan Deavours
Director of Research, RFID Alliance Lab
University of Kansas
* Ian Robertson
Global Industry Development Director
EPCglobal
* LTC Anthony Evans, USA
Product Manager, BCS3
US Army
* Capt Bill Slack, USMC
Officer in Charge, Forward Stores
Marine Corps Logistics Command
* Karen Blanck
Deputy Program Manager, Asset Visibility
Defense Logistics Agency
* Robert Bacon
Program Manager
Navy AIT
* MG Vincent Boles, USA
Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff
Army G-4
* Paulette Schwoebel
CIO
Army G-4
* Robert Leibrandt
Deputy Director, UID Policy Office
OSD
* Y.Y Wong
EHF NECC/TIP Project Manager, Electronic Systems Engineer
US NAVY SPAWAR
* COL Scott Lambert, USA
Project Manager
Logistics Modernization Program
* Darren Guttmann
IRRIS Program Manager
SDDC/TEA
* David Dias
Chief, Asset Visibility Division
USTRANSCOM
* Valerie Carpenter
Program Manager
Navy ERP
* Dr. Christian Floerkemeier
Laboratory for Manufacturing and Productivity
MIT
* Justin Patton
Managing Director
University of Arkansas RFID Laboratory


Past attendees include large and medium sized companies:

* BAE Systems Platform Solutions
* Boeing Company
* CTC Concurrent Technologies Corporation
* Lockheed Martin
* Defense Ammunition Center
* Air Force
* Aeroastro
* William Frick & Co.
* US Army Sustainment Command
* Honeywell
* Edgewood Chemical Biological Center
* SecurLynx
* Singapore Armed Forces
* LOGMATION Inc.
* ADS Tactical
* Comtech Mobile Datacom
* Navy
* Kellogg Brown & Root Svcs., Inc
* Sikorsky Aircraft
* L3 Communications
* Torch Technologies
* Maersk Line, Ltd.
* On Track Technologies
* Amsec Llc

and many more..

Industry Analysis - Near shore Manufacturing.

Conference Objectives:

* Objectively analyse the present and future business conditions of Aerospace Industry in Mexico
* Obtain detailed and privileged information on the current state and development potential of Mexico's Aerospace Industry
* Interact with Mexico's aerospace products plant managers
* Develop an itemised cost operating pro-forma of a potential offshore manufacturing porject in Mexico
* Hear from industry experts and OEM's about the opportunities to participate in Mexico's Aerospace Industry value chain
* Learn details of aerospace intellectual property protection and BASA approvals

Viable Strategies to Drive Meaningful Cost-Reduction and Improve Operating Efficiencies

The speed and magnitude of the recent oil shocks are threatening to squeeze the life out of the aviation industry and for airlines in particular the stakes have never been higher. To grasp the impact high oil prices are having, consider the following: U.S. carriers collectively turned a profit of $3.8 billion in 2007, however airlines will face an increased fuel bill of $18 billion this year alone. The industry will have to nearly quadruple its profits this year just to cover the higher fuel expenses.

The industry as a whole must identify, implement and leverage effective fuel management programs that will provide both short-term relief as well as long term, sustainable solutions.

This in-depth, case study driven management forum aims to address these issues.

* Demonstrate how environmental sustainability initiatives will yield cost-savings
* Understand how and when to hedge fuel prices
* Minimize fuel burn through optimal flight planning
* Leverage technical innovations and IT to achieve optimal fuel management efficiency
* Evaluate and forecast the economic feasibility of alternative and synthetic fuels
* Measure the economic impact of short-term fuel conservation initiatives – including winglets, weight reduction and slower flying
* Quantify your program results to demonstrate improved efficiency, ROI and cost savings!


The Eco-Aviation and Fuel Management Forum will showcase the strategies and processes that leading aviation and aerospace companies are leveraging to dramatically reduce costs, improve fuel efficiency and demonstrate quantifiable and significant cost savings and ROI.

Who Will Attend

Attendees Will Include: Treasurers, CFO’s, Vice Presidents, Directors as well as other top executives from airlines responsible for:

* Fuel Management
* Fuel Analysts
* Fuel Purchasing
* Fuel Procurement
* Fuel Supply
* Operations
* Environment
* Technical Programs
* Oil Hedging
* Quality
* Cost restraint
* Financial Performance

The conference also holds considerable value for hedge fund and financial analysts with interest in oil and commodities.

Speakers

* Robert E. Callahan, President, Flight Sciences International
* John Heimlich, VP, Air Transport Association
* Glenn Hipp, VP, Supply Chain & Fuel, Jetblue
* Juergen Haacker, Director, Operations, IATA
* Richard Altman, Chief Executive, CAAFI
* Stephen Schork, Editor & Publisher, The Schork Report

Industry Analysis - Near shore Manufacturing.

Conference Objectives:

* Objectively analyse the present and future business conditions of Aerospace Industry in Mexico
* Obtain detailed and privileged information on the current state and development potential of Mexico's Aerospace Industry
* Interact with Mexico's aerospace products plant managers
* Develop an itemised cost operating pro-forma of a potential offshore manufacturing porject in Mexico
* Hear from industry experts and OEM's about the opportunities to participate in Mexico's Aerospace Industry value chain
* Learn details of aerospace intellectual property protection and BASA approvals

NORMANDY MOTOR MEETINGS EST LE PLUS GRAND SALON
DEDIE AUX MOTEURS ET SYSTEMES DE PROPULSION EN EUROPE :

300 entreprises présentes, 3000 rendez-vous d'affaires programmés à l'avance, 2000 entreprises prospectées
UNE OFFRE GLOBALE ISSUE D'UNE SELECTION QUALITATIVE
100 % DES ENTREPRISES SELECTIONNEES ONT DES BESOINS OU DES COMPETENCES
LIES AUX PROBLEMATIQUES MOTEURS ET SYSTEMES DE PROPULSION :


• Mécanique
• Matériaux
• Vibro-acoustique
• Procédés de fabrication
• Energies
• Lubrifiants
• Transmission
• Composants moteurs
• Essais et diagnostics, analyses, métrologie
• Electronique de contrôle / commande
• Maintenance


QUI PARTICIPE ?

La convention d'affaires Normandy Motor Meetings rassemble les acteurs des filières moteurs et systèmes de propulsion qui souhaitent développer leur réseau de partenaires techniques, commerciaux et de R&D autour de projets réels et bien identifiés.


Téléphone : +33(0)146901901

Mercredi 4 février 2009 LES ORIGINES
Alain Blanchard - Astrophysicien, professeur à l’Université de Toulouse
Exposition de peintures sur des sujets astronomiques par Marc Rieugnié.

The 12th Annual FAA Commercial Space Transportation Conference will be held on February 5-6, 2009, at the Crystal Gateway Marriot in Arlington, Virginia, and will bring commercial space industry leaders and policy makers from state and federal governments, associations, and academia. With the theme “Launching the New Era,” the 2009 conference will feature presentations and discussions such as:

• Enabling technologies for commercial space transportation
• How the internet can enhance commercial space transportation opportunities
• Human rating space flight now and for the future

We are honored to have the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) as a co-sponsor for the 2009 event. For more information (link to .(http://www.aiaa.org/events/ast) about the conference, including program information, registration, and travel and hotel accommodations, please visit AIAA’s website

Agile Air Power for Australia's Security

Speaker: Professional staff from the RAAF's Air Power Development Centre
This seminar is for Defence people seeking a foundation of knowledge on military air power. The seminar is an informative background session for personnel posted into the Defence organisation who have had little previous experience with air power. Primarily, the seminar is intended to provide a foundation in the RAAF's air power that will assist those personnel who are likely to deal with related issues in the course of their duties. The information in the presentations and the discussions during the session will also be of interest and value to all Defence personnel with an interest in air power. This seminar will be conducted as a series of short presentations, delivered by staff from the RAAF's Air Power Development Centre. The presentations cover the historic origins of the Air Force, the strategic basis for Australia's air power, key characteristics of Air Force's air power and the future intent for the Air Force. Points of interest will include the foundations of our air power strategy and the basis for the changes that the Air Force is undergoing to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

Contact Info: Air Power Development Centre Tel: 02 6266 1084 E-mail: airpower@defence.gov.au

Mardi 3 mars ARCHEOASTRONOMIE EGYPTIENNE: LES ETOILES DE PHARAON
Karine Gadre - Astrophysicienne, Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Toulouse-Tarbes

Emirates Airline is to be the Principal Partner of Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009, which will make history by being staged in Dubai for the first time.
The 24-team Men’s tournament and 16-team Women’s tournament, being hosted by the Arabian Gulf Rugby Football Union, will take place on 5th – 7th March 2009 at Emirates' new state-of-the-art rugby complex, currently being constructed off the Al Ain Road close to Dubailand. The event will break new ground by being the first ever Rugby World Cup to incorporate both a men’s and a women’s competition.

The agreement to become Principal Partner at Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009, sees Emirates Airline extend its rugby sponsorship portfolio even further, underlining the company’s credentials as one of the sport's premier supporters.

Gary Chapman, President Group Services and Dnata, Emirates Group, said: "We are delighted to be supporting Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 and are eagerly looking forward to next year's kick-off. Emirates has a proud record of sponsoring international sevens rugby which stretches back to 1988, and our involvement with Rugby World Cup Sevens enables us to continue supporting the global development of the sport and the growth of the women's game.

"We expect that TV audiences around the world in excess of 500 million people will tune into the event and we are preparing for crowds of more than 120,000 to pack the new stadium over the three days of the event. We will put on a show to remember."

Dubai-based Emirates Airline has become synonymous with rugby thanks to a range of sponsorship agreements. It was Official Airline of Rugby World Cup 2007 in France and sponsors the International Rugby Board referees and match officials. The IRB's International Rugby Yearbook is supported by Emirates, while the award-winning airline also backs the IRB's star-studded annual awards ceremony.

Emirates also sponsors four tournaments in the annual IRB Sevens World Series: the traditional opening leg in Dubai, South Africa, London and series finale in Edinburgh, and the company is shirt sponsors of the England and Samoa sevens teams, as well as of the Australia-based Emirates Western Force Super 14 squad.

The staging of Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009, follows on from the highly successful Emirates Airline-sponsored IRB Under-19 World Championship which was held in Dubai and Sharjah in 2006.

Chapman added: “We feel that rugby and Emirates have been good for each other. It is a sport that fits our brand very well thanks to the audiences it attracts, and we are very proud of what has been achieved in recent years.”

The 24 men’s teams taking part in Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 will be attempting to win the Melrose Cup. The competition first took place in Scotland in 1993, before moving to Hong Kong in 1997, Argentina in 2001 and Hong Kong again in 2005 where Fiji emerged victorious.

The eight quarter-finalists from 2005 – Fiji plus New Zealand, England, Australia, France, Scotland, Argentina and South Africa as well as the host union, the Arabian Gulf – qualify automatically for Dubai 2009. The 15 remaining men’s places will come from qualifying tournaments throughout 2008 in six worldwide regions.

These six regions – Africa, North America & West Indies, South America, Asia, Europe and Oceania - will also stage qualifying tournaments to find the 16 women’s teams that will compete to be the first ever Women’s World Champions in the Rugby World Cup Sevens, Dubai 2009.