Airport Show opens in Dubai amidst brighter outlook for sustainable recovery

The airport industry has come back almost to its full strength and picked up the lost growth momentum in most parts of the world, said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates airline and Group, on Monday.

Sheikh Ahmed said this as he inaugurated the annual Airport Show on Tuesday. The world’s largest airport event, taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre, will run from May 9 to 11.

The 22nd edition of Airport Show was opened in Dubai today amidst brighter outlook for complete and sustainable recovery, growth of passenger demand and focus on future mobility, sustainable infrastructure and innovation.

Sheikh Ahmed said: “The construction of new airports and expansion and upgrading of existing facilities has gained pace to ensure airports meet the future demand as well as the needs and expectations of travellers.”

After opening, Sheikh Ahmed toured the exhibitors’ pavilions, during which he was accompanied by a number of senior officials from the aviation sector, where he was briefed on the technologies and devices showcased by more than 150 international companies from 20 countries around the world.

Sheikh Ahmed added, “As the region’s airports look to maintain their status as top global hubs and attract a growing number of travelers, they are investing in the latest of technologies and concepts – biometrics, the Internet of Things, and more recently AI – to deliver an airport experience that exceeds the expectations of their customers, makes aviation sustainable, and keep them ahead of the competition.”

The trade show with the theme, ‘Together in Innovating Future Sustainable Airports’ is the world’s largest annual airport industry B2B platform. This year more than 100 hosted buyers are expected to clinch substantial deals.

Exhibitors from the US, Italy, France, Germany, Denmark, Turkey, Netherlands, China, Belgium, Korea and Sweden and several other countries including the host, UAE, are showcasing the latest innovative products and technologies to make the aviation industry safe and sustainable, enhance efficiency and passengers experience with the expected increase in passenger numbers and aviation industry growth.

Omar bin Ghaleb, deputy director-general, General Civil Aviation Authority, said: “Efficient and sustainable air traffic management is the key to unlocking the potential of the aviation industry. The industry stakeholders should embrace innovation and collaborate to create exceptional passenger experiences and lead the way towards a brighter future for the airports and the environment.”

Also open are Airport Security Middle East, ATC Forum, the Global Airport Leaders’ Forum and Women in Aviation Conference, where global experts and industry leaders discuss the state of the industry, trends and the future of travel, airport security, technology disruption, passenger experience and sustainability.

A key attraction is Sustainable Apron organised in association with dnata. These forums and discussions will greatly contribute to the growth of the industry and provide more opportunities to achieve performance and profitability.

Participating companies, exhibitors and industry stakeholders are bullish about growth prospects and hope to derive benefit from the Airport Show.