Airport Show will take-off grandly tomorrow with 375 exhibitors from 60 countries at its sell-out 19^th edition vying for business by showcasing over 50 new technologies and innovative products over three days at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC).

The world’s largest annual airport exhibition will further consolidate its market standing with participating companies signing-off multi-million dirham deals across almost the entire spectrum of airport operations and management.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, the Show has over the years gained high-profile as countries began developing airports for being a major economic driver and the most-visible public infrastructure project. The number of global passenger trips is expected to double to eight billion by 2036.

The B2B event is tapping the projected US$90 billion investments in the aviation industry in the Middle East by 2020 – more than three-fourths of which in the GCC states alone.  The UAE airports are investing up to US$50 billion in new and expanded projects over the next 15 years.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed remarked: “With passenger numbers expected to continue their growth trajectory and drive airport expansion projects to accommodate the demand, the UAE’s aviation sector remains a key driver of our economic growth. The Airport Show, with all the co-located events, is an ideal platform the Middle East, Africa and South Asia’s aviation authorities, companies and individuals to come together and collaborate with international experts and leaders to improve global aviation.”

The Show has 211 Hosted Buyers from 30 countries. Besides Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and the host UAE, the countries from where the Hosted Buyers will be coming are: Algeria, Armenia, Angola, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, India,  Jordan,  Lebanon, Maldives, Mauritius, Moldova, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Turkey and Uganda. The Hosted Buyer Programme has been a highly-acclaimed feature since 2009.The Hosted Buyer Programme has been a highly-acclaimed feature since 2009.

The participating companies include 60 top industry bellwethers. Continuing the yesteryears’ trend, more than 75 per cent of the exhibitors are repeat participants. Over 50 new technologies and innovations are scheduled to be unveiled during the Show which occupies over 15,000 square metres of exhibition space in three DICEC halls.

The much-anticipated show is packed this year with five co-located events – Air Traffic Control (ATC) Forum, Airport Security Middle East, Global Airport Leaders Forum (GALF), Women in Aviation (WIA) General Assembly and CAPA Middle East & Africa Aviation Summit. The Innovation Hub will have innovators from across the world showcasing their breakthrough disruptive technologies that would shape the future airport experience. There will be a dedicated ‘Live Stage’ featuring CPD-accredited industry presentations.

The 2^nd ATC Forum will debate and explore solutions for challenges facing the ATM, especially in the UAE which is set to handle 1.85 million flights in 2030. Dubai International (DXB) will, by 2025, have an airport system busier than the current day London, New York City or Tokyo. The number of flights handled by ATC globally is expected to reach 39.8 million in 2019. By 2034, the fleet of passenger and freighter aircraft in the Middle East region will treble to over 2,950 by 2034. The Airport Security market is projected to hit US$16 billion by 2024. The new Smart Airports Conference, on Day 1 of GALF, is designed to tap the global Smart airports market expected to touch US$14.87 billion mark by 2021. Airports in the Middle East will handle 517 million passengers by 2036.

Several top speakers from across the world will be addressing the GALF, now in its 6^th year, and the 4^th edition of Women in Aviation (WIA) Middle East General Assembly and the 1^st CAPA Middle East and Africa Summit. The speakers for these events include: Major General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of GDRFA–Dubai, Ivano Iannell, CEO of Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence, , Ryyan Tarabzoni, CEO, Saudi Air Navigation Services (SANS), Abdul Wahab Teffaha Secretary General, AACO, Adel Ali, Air Arabia CEO and Ghaith Al Ghaith, flydubai CEO.

The other speakers are: Kresimir Kucko, Gulf Air CEO, Sebastian Mikosz, Kenya Airways CEO, Stefan Pichler, Royal Jordanian CEO, Laila Ali Saif Bin Hareb Al Muhairi, Assistant Director General at GCAA, Sonja Strand, Vice President, Honeywell, Bernie Dunn, Vice President, Boeing International,  Prince Fahd bin Mishaal Al-Saud, Chairman of GCC Aviation Authority, Sheikha Al Maskari, Chief Innovation Officer, UAE Space Agency and Robert J. Gerritsen, General Manager, Air BP MENA.

Daniyal Qureshi, Group Exhibition Director at Reed Exhibitions Middle East, , organisers of the Airport Show, remarked: “The Show, being a sell-out again, speaks volumes about the industry’s continuing vibrancy and investments to expand the facilities and excel in providing hassle-free travel experiences right from the airport precincts. With tremendous growth forecast, authorities are investing significantly in airport infrastructure. Airports are investing in the latest technologies and concepts to delight customers and stay ahead of the competition.”