An array of environment-friendly solutions for airports as well as initiatives to enhance sustainability in airport operations and development will be highlighted at the upcoming Airport Show in Dubai.

The ninth edition of the Airport Show, which will run from May 19 to 21 at the Dubai Airport Expo, will attract over 4,000 attendees including representatives from airports and aviation authorities from 20 countries from Tunisia to China.

The global giants such as Thales, Raytheon, Selex Sistemi Integrati, Siemens and Honeywell will display their products at the show, said organisers Reed Exhibition Middle East.

'The focus on sustainability and ‘green’ solutions is a growth imperative for the airport and airline industry’s future,' said Frederic Theux, president, Reed Exhibitions Middle East.

'As an organiser with a strong portfolio of aerospace events, Reed Exhibitions recognises this and has dovetailed the Airport Show platform to provide vendors and solutions providers an opportunity to highlight sustainable solutions geared towards reducing CO2 emissions, decreasing energy consumption, or those that use environmentally-friendly material,' he noted.

Leading UAE exhibitors Bayanat Airports Engineering & Supplies, Pacific Control, Excel and Emirates National Factory for Plastic Industries will be there at the show.

According to international trade body, International Air Transport Association (IATA), significant savings have been achieved in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region since 2006, including $40 million by shortening routes and $374 million by improving fuel efficiency with Green Teams.

The IATA is aiming at 25 per cent fuel efficiency improvement by 2020, in the airline sector.

Among the projects that will be showcased at the Airport Show is the King Abdul Aziz International Airport Development Project (KAIA) in Saudi Arabia.

KAIA is currently undergoing a three-phased redevelopment programme which will enable it to handle 80 million passengers by 2035.

High environmental standards are integral to the development and upon completion, the project will be the largest Airport in the world to be Silver Leed certified.

According to organisers, several exhibitors are keen to showcase innovative ‘green’ products at Airport Show. US-based Armstrong will introduce innovative ceiling concepts for the next generation of environmentally friendly (“green”) ceilings.

Crisplant from Denmark will display the RampMate™ - a system to automate ground handling of baggage between the terminal and the aircraft ramp that sets a new benchmark for ultra-low carbon dioxide emissions in baggage handling with a 75 per cent reduction in power consumption.

The Trikke uPT personal transporter, introduced in the UAE by the Bond Group, is 100 percent emission free, reduces travel time and promotes ease of movement, thereby increasing efficiency and productivity without adversely affecting the environment.

UK-based atg, will showcase taxiway light fittings with LED technology that use only 10 watts of power as against 45 watts of power consumed by tungsten halogen lamps of a similar capacity.

Nano Energy from Germany will present their SVPS (Small Vehicle Power System) that runs solely on a battery retrofitted with a fuel cell supply. The new battery system is scaled down, and the fuel cell energy is used for both vehicle propulsion and battery recharge.

Switzerland-headquartered Cavotec will demonstrate advanced solutions that enable aircrafts to switch off their APUs (Auxiliary Power Units) while on the ground.

“By using electrical and mechanical Cavotec Pop Up Pits systems and compressed air machines, airports can limit the number of diesel driven ground service vehicles and reduce by up to 60 percent, pollution on the tarmac,” according to Yann Duclot, Middle East aviation division