More than 64 per cent of exhibitors of the Airport Show 2013, a premier airport event for the Mena and Indian subcontinent region, have confirmed their participation at the 2014 edition taking place in Dubai in May.

Now in its 14th successful year, Airport Show 2014 will run from May 11 to 13 at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Last year’s edition saw remarkable growth in exhibition space and was held on a gross exhibition space of 11,000 sq m with 225 exhibitors and six country pavilions.

Organised by Reed Exhibitions Middle East, the show will be collocated with the second Global Airport Leaders’ Forum (GALF) and launch of Travel Catering Expo (TCE).

“The aviation sector represents one of the region’s main economic pillars and involves multi-million dollars investments in existing and new developments,” said 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.

“Airport Show enables decision-makers to convene in one venue for knowledge-sharing and procurement of products and services. The show is contributing to the success of a thriving aviation industry in the region.

“We want to consolidate Dubai’s position on the world aviation map. We continue to expand Dubai International Airport facilities with an investment of $7.8 billion in order to keep up with the volume of expected growth.

“We strongly believe in the aviation sector as an engine of economic growth and will continue upgrading our services and facilities in order to be worthy of the global confidence posed in us. Our distinctive successes are the result of well thought-out investments in state-of-the-art infrastructure and the best use of modern technologies,” he added.

Airport Show, in a short span of 13 years, has become one of the world’s leading airport industry B2B events and the most-preferred platform for procurements and supplies for the region’s multi-million dollar airport developments.

Daniyal Qureshi, director, Airport Show, said: “The show is growing stronger in all parameters with wider global interest in the region, as it pursues its ambitious airport expansion programmes and positions itself as the new travel hub of this century. When one thinks of global aviation investments, the Arabian Gulf states are amongst the first ones that come to mind.”

“Exhibitors are very enthusiastic and confident about getting more business from the region. There is a strong resurgence in the aviation industry and this is reflected in terms of investments and developments. The show is a vital link connecting suppliers and buyers while showcasing the best of the global industry’s solutions and services,” he added.

Boeing, in its Market Outlook 2013-2032 report, says growth of Middle Eastern aviation ‘outpaced’ the global average and will continue to do so, supported by a variety of growth strategies, including airports and airlines expansion.

The Middle East region is expected to handle 400 million air passengers by 2020, including 100 million passengers by Dubai alone. Dubai’s second international airport, Al Maktoum International at DWC is due to start operations on October 27, helping take the annual passenger handling capacity of the two airports to over 80 million.

A survey of aviation industry professionals, carried out for the inaugural GALF last year, rated the Middle East as having the ‘highest potential’ for airport investment and expansion in the world over the next five years.

Business opportunities worth $7.9 billion were discussed between airport managements and exhibitors at Airport Show-2013, indicating the business potential of the region and the link that the show provides between regional airport development and global suppliers. – TradeArabia News Service