Global airports industry players are set to showcase their portfolio of latest and innovative products, services and solutions at a leading event to be held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from 1-13 May 2014.

Daniyal Qureshi, Event Director, said: “One will find all the key players of the regional airports management in general and Dubai in particular attending the show and looking for their procurements. The variety of exhibitors that the show attracts is amazing - one gets all the requirements of a complete airport under one-roof itself.”

As the host city of Expo 2020, which is expected to attract 25 million tourists, the emirate is accelerating its drive to enhance its airport capacity and facilities, said a statement.

Dubai is expected to invest over 8.1 billion Dirham ($2.2 billion) in new infrastructure to host Expo 2020. The total spending related to the event, including private sector projects, could reach 18.3 billion Dirham, HSBC estimated.

As much as 43 billion dirham in infrastructure projects would need to be developed in preparation for the event, Deutsche Bank estimated.

Aviation has established itself as a vital contributor to the UAE’s economy, contributing more than Dh145 billion or 14.7% to the national gross domestic product (GDP).

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Airports, said: “This contribution is projected to grow further in the coming years and as such justifies the country’s huge investment in airports and airline networks”.

“Aviation and logistics have had a major impact on other economic sectors such as tourism, hospitality, trade and finance, and activity in one spurs growth in the others,” added Sheikh Ahmed, who is also the Chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and Group, and Chairman of Expo 2020 Preparatory Committee.

Dubai Airports has been “preparing” proposals to double the emirate’s passenger handling capacity to 200 million passengers a year by 2045, up from the current target of 100 million a year by 2020.

Dubai Airports is undergoing an AED28.8 billion expansion program, which will boost capacity at Dubai International from 60 million to 90 million passengers per year by 2018.

Dubai intends to invest $33 billion in the multi-phased development at DWC, which is located in the vicinity of Expo 2020 venue, and experts believe that the budget allocations are expected to rise with Expo 2020 win.