HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, Monday opened the 13th Airport Show at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC)
with 220 companies from 35 countries participating in the three-day, expected to be attended by over 6000 aviation industry professionals.
Sheikh Ahmed toured the world’s second biggest B2B event taking place on a space of 11,000 square meters. He was accompanied by Mohammed Abdulla Ahli, Director General of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation, Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing and CEO of Dubai World Trade Centre.
Daniyal Qureshi, Event Director, explained the major highlights of the show which this year features for the first time, Airport Passenger Experience zone, Global Airport Leaders’ Forum and Women in Aviation exhibition.
The show organizers, Reed Exhibitions, expect that this year’s show will be attended by over 6,000 aviation professionals. There are 6 country pavilions at the show, including those of Germany and France.
This year, over 60 high-ranking Hosted Buyers are attending from Iran, Turkey, Jordan, Kuwait, Tunisia, Djibouti, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Pakistan, Egypt, Iraq and India and expected to decide on procuring technology and solutions for airports developments worth an estimated US$25 billion dollars.
The event recorded a 65% increase in visitor pre-registrations from last year. The Airport Passenger Experience, an airport terminal-format zone offering a ‘touch and feel’ of the airport of the future, has the participation of 23 companies that features amazing and futuristic technology and products for the airport industry.
The Airport Show will also host an initiative that aims to encourage Emirati women to pursue highly-rewarding aviation careers.
H.H. Sheikh Ahmed said: “The aviation sector represents one of the region’s main economic pillars and billion-dollar investments aimed at developing the airports and air carriers will strengthen the region’s presence on the international air transport map. The Airport Show will enable decision makers to convene in one venue to share airport industry updates, as well as identify future challenges.”
He added: “The GALF, taking place from May 7, will bring together under one roof the global aviation regulators and civil aviation authorities to explore best practices and collaborate on the establishment of clear legislative frameworks, policy priorities, transparent governance systems, and effective funding strategies to accommodate the growth in the region - 400 million passengers by 2020. The combined efforts will help further promote the success of a thriving aviation industry in the region.”
Source: ITP
