More than 160 exhibitors  and 63 hosted buyers will take part in The Airport Show, an event devoted to airport construction, operations, technology and services, which kicks off in Dubai on Tuesday.

The expo will cater to the needs of existing and new airports in the region where development and expansion projects are estimated to cost $90 billion over the next few years, said the organizers.

Of this, Airport Show 2011 has attracted projects that have in the pipeline sourcing needs to the tune of over $29.16 billion, they added.

Organized by Reed Exhibitions, the show runs till June 2 at Airport Expo in Dubai. It is held under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, Chairman & CEO of Emirates.

A key project to take center-stage at the show is King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA; Jeddah, Saudi Arabia) that will aim to source state-of-the-art technology and construction materials for its estimated spending of $11.3 billion towards its expansion.

The ‘Airport Leaders Summit’ will run from 31 May-01 June on the sidelines of the exhibition and focus on security, sustainable expansion and current economic concerns.

The show is sponsored by King Abdulaziz International Airport, Thales, and Tiger Profiles. It is also supported by Dubai Airports, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Abu Dhabi Airports Company, UAE Contractors Association, British Aviation Group, British Airport Services & Equipment Association, Danish Airport Group, Ubifrance, and the Netherlands Airport Technology Group.