3-day long Dubai Airport Show gets underway

The 13th edition of the Dubai Airport Show got underway here today, with over 220 companies from over 35 countries, including India, showcasing a wide range of technologies, amid signs of resurgence in the global aviation industry.
Touted as the world's second biggest event of its kind, the three-day long show will take place over an area of 11,000 square metres. This year, over 60 high profile clients are expected to be coming from India, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and Iraq.
The event organisers expect that this year's show will be attended by over 6000 aviation professionals. The event has recorded a 65 per cent increase in visitor pre-registrations from last year.

"The aviation sector represents one of the main economic pillars of the region, and billion-dollar investments aimed at developing airports and airlines is strengthening the region's presence on the international map," said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority .
"The Forum will bring together the global aviation regulators and civil aviation authorities to explore best practises and collaborate on the establishment of clear legislative frameworks, policy priorities, transparent governance systems, and effective funding strategies to accommodate the growth in the region," said Sheikh Ahmed, who is also the Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airlines and Group.

According to event director Daniyal Qureshi, the buildup to this year's show indicates a positive sentiment across the aviation industry, since several airport developments have been announced in the region in the past 18 months.

"Mega-projects that had slowed down are picking up pace again. International suppliers are looking to the region as massive upgrades are necessary to meet fleet and aircraft upgrade demands," he said.
The Airport Show will feature, for the first time, the Global Airport Leaders' Forum (GALF), where globally-renowned aviation leaders and experts will share their insights, experiences and perspectives on airport operations.
Airlines based in the Middle East are expected to record the highest growth in passenger traffic, at 5.8 per cent per annum through to the year 2025 and airports are expected to handle 400 million passengers a year by 2020.

An investment of USD 90 billion is projected to go into aviation industry in the Middle East by the year 2020. Dubai's is projected to handle 98 million passengers by 2020. It is currently ranked the world's second busiest airport.
The Middle Eastern hub consisting of three key airports, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha, has been increasing capacity by an average of 12 per cent per year since 2004. The International Civil Aviation Organisation expects air traffic in the Middle East to grow by 5.2 per cent annually until 2030.