Buoyed by its success over the last 16 years, the Airport Show announced further expansion in its next edition, which will take place from 15-17 May 2017 at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Dubai.
The show organizers confirmed that the huge interest of the global aviation industry in the Middle East and in the latest smart technologies showcased on this platform has led to an over 50% increase in year-on-year space bookings for the 2017 edition.
Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, last year’s edition was the most successful so far with a participation of over 300 exhibitors from over 55 countries and occupied Zabeel Halls 4, 5 and 6 with a gross space of 15,000 square meters.
“The success of the Airport Show reflects the strong interest and an unwavering global confidence in the Middle East, particularly in the UAE, which is making significant investments in the sector, actively embracing latest technological innovations, and opening doors of tremendous opportunities for global industry players,” Sheikh Ahmed said earlier during Airport Show 2016.
Airport Show, which is the world’s largest annual airport event, is organized by Reed Exhibitions Middle East and is supported by Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), Dubai Airports, Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP) and dnata, amongst a host of regional and international aviation bodies and associations.
The 2017 edition will be collocated with the World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo Middle East (WTCEME), the GCC’s largest dedicated exhibition for companies to tap into the opportunities presented by its booming aviation catering business.
The 17th edition of Airport Show will continue to serve as the best platform for companies to showcase their airport and aviation-related products and services.
With the spectacular rise in the number of air passengers worldwide, airports are actively investing in smart technology in a bid to ensure a comfortable passenger experience without compromising on security. Airport Show 2017 will have world-leading companies showcasing the latest smart technologies.
Major General Pilot Ahmed bin Thani, Deputy Commander-in-Chief for Ports Affairs, Dubai Police, said Airport Show 2016 provided opportunities to learn about international best practices and smart technologies in the field of security.
He added that smart solutions are an important component to keep up with record growth of passenger numbers, especially as Dubai International Airport expects over 85 million passengers by the end of this year and more than 100 million passengers by the end of the year 2020.
Airports in the Middle East, especially UAE, have been on the forefront when it comes to adopting the latest smart technologies.
According to the latest Middle East Aviation and Airports 2016 Report by MEED, there are more than $100 billion-worth of airport-related projects planned and underway across the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region as governments look to update and expand their infrastructure.
The UAE is among the largest markets for airport projects and according to The Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA), $30 billion worth of airport investments underway or planned in the UAE alone.
Worldwide, airports are keen on automating passenger processing while maintaining the highest security levels. According to a report by Frost & Sullivan, it is estimated that the global annual spend on airport security would surge to $12.67 billion in 2023, up from $8.22 billion in 2014.
