Airport Show 2011 set to open on 31 May amidst optimistic industry projections

With a week away from raising curtains on what is billed as one of the world’s leading events devoted exclusively to airport construction, operations, technology and services, the 11^thAirport Show is set to feature over 160 exhibitors as well as 63 Hosted Buyers.

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 CEO of Emirates Airline and Group, Airport Show 2011 will be held from 31 May-2 June at the Airport Expo in Dubai.

Organized by REED Exhibitions Middle East, one of the leading organisers of trade and consumer exhibitions, the event will cater to the needs of existing and new airports in the region where development and expansion projects are estimated to cost US$90 billion over the next few years. Of this, Airport Show 2011 has attracted projects that have in the pipeline sourcing needs to the tune of over US$29.16 billion.

A leading project that will take the center-stage during the show is King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) that will aim to source state-of-the-art technology and construction materials for its estimated spending of US$11.3 billion towards its expansion.

Mohamad Bader-Eddin, Show Director, REED Exhibitions Middle East, said: “Airport development and expansion is projected to exponentially grow over the coming years in the Middle East and Asia. As we near the exhibition date, we are looking forward to gather the sector’s veterans, who will exchange valuable industry insights, highlight opportunities and explore a roadmap to overcome challenges.”

The ‘Airport Leaders Summit’ will run from 31 May – 1 June on the sidelines of the exhibition and focus on security, sustainable expansion and current economic concerns. The summit will offer an unparalleled opportunity to interact with an elite group of decision-makers from governments and businesses worldwide. It will also aim to find long-term solutions to strategic issues the industry faces in the wake of the global economic uncertainty, rigid credit markets, high fuel prices and changing regulatory norms.

Additionally, the event will deliver a combination of high quality networking and business development opportunities through a series of roundtable discussions and seminars. Innovation seminars will cover topics such as ‘Cavotec Innovative Gate Systems’ ‘Environmental Capacity: Managing the Impact of Airport Noise’ and ‘The World's First Mobile Passenger Terminal’. In addition to spotlighting the King Abdulaziz International Airport, project seminars will feature the new design and development of the Benazir Bhutto International Airport in Islamabad, Pakistan.

The Airport Show 2011 is sponsored by King Abdulaziz International Airport, Thales and Tiger Profiles. It is also supported by leading aviation authorities and trade bodies including Dubai Airports, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), UAE Contractors Association, British Aviation Group, British Airport Services & Equipment Association (BASEA), Danish Airport Group, UBIFRANCE (the French Agency for international business development), and the Netherlands Airport Technology Group.