H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, opened on Tuesday the 24th edition of Airport Show at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), which will run till May 8, 2025.
His Highness toured the B2B exhibition pavilions accompanied by top aviation officials and industry stakeholders and engaged with various exhibitors and learning more about the latest technologies shaping the airport industry.
More than 6,000 trade visitors from 30 countries are attending the Middle East, Africa and South Asia’s (MEASA) largest airport industry B2B platform to explore innovations and technologies that shape future airports including advances in enhancing the passenger experience, airport traffic management, airport carbon-reduction and sustainability, digitalization, and Urban Air Mobility (UAM).
The three-day dedicated airport industry platform welcomes participation by 140 exhibitors from 22 countries who will meet, network and do business with highly-qualified 150+ buyers from over 70 organisations from 30 countries.
This year’s Airport Show is opened in the wake of the Middle East and neighbouring regions experiencing a significant surge in airport expansion projects, driven by a robust recovery in global aviation and optimistic projections for passenger growth.
With expectations to handle approximately 1.1 billion passengers annually by 2040 - up from 405 million in 2019 - the Middle East is investing heavily in infrastructure to meet this demand.
HH Sheikh Ahmed remarked: “Dubai’s aviation sector is on a clear upward trajectory, driven by infrastructure expansion and the adoption of new technologies. As major contributors to our economy and global connectivity, both Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International (DWC) will continue to play a leading role in shaping the future of air travel through 2030s and beyond, delivering world-class performance and operational excellence. We remain firmly on our journey of progress, with many more milestones ahead in strengthening Dubai’s global reputation.”
“Since 2001, the Airport Show has had a long-standing presence in Dubai, and I am confident that this 24th edition will further support the growth of the regional aviation industry. I wish the organisers and participants every success as we look ahead to a landmark Silver Jubilee edition in 2026,” H.H. added.
There are two conferences - Global Airport Leaders’ Forum, and Women in Aviation Middle East Conference - co-located with 30+ sessions and 70+ aviation leaders and expert speakers.
The 12th Global Airport Leader’s Forum (GALF) designed to take forward the aviation knowledge-enhancement agenda with keynote speeches from Lt. Gen. Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General, General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), HE Abdulla Al Shamsi, Director of Engineering, Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP) and HE Ahmad Ali Belqaizi, Executive Director, Aviation Safety and Environment Sector, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA).
Also co-located is the Women in Aviation Middle East Chapter’s Conference and Awards taking place on the third day of Airport Show. This year’s new attractions include the GSE Zone, Airport Tech Pavilion, and Airport Design Hub.
Being held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, Airport Show is organized by RX, a global company that organizes about 350 events across the world.
The Airport Show is designed to serve the US$1 trillion airport development market in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region.
The Middle East and Asia-Pacific are expected to account for 58% of global air passenger demand by 2040. By 2050, approximately 66.7 million Baby Boomers will travel by air in the Middle East. The Middle Eastern airports will require US$151 billion in investments by 2040 to handle an expected surge in passenger numbers.
