More than 210 exhibitors from 30 countries are taking part in a major airport show that  opened in Dubai today (May 19).

The ninth edition of the Airport Show will run until May 21 at Dubai Airport Expo.

The event has pre-registered 1,620 visitors and confirmed participation from more than 60 countries, including 43 airport officials from 19 airports, from Tunisia to China. More than Dh500 million ($136 million) in procurement contracts will be on offer at the event.

The 2009 event is expected to fare strongly, thanks largely to robust airport expansion and creation across the Mena and South Asia region.

“We have every reason to expect a very strong turnout for the 9th Airport Show, and are confident that the show will convey the message that Dubai and the broader Mena region continues to lead in business,” said Frederic Theux, Reed Exhibitions, organisers of the show.

Reed has implemented a series of programmes to streamline the procurement process for exhibitors and visitors, including a ‘Hosted Buyer’ programme that brings senior management officials from airports in the region.

Priority projects for airport managers include construction of terminals, cargo and aircraft hangars, taxiways, electric substations, air traffic control towers, and services from baggage handling to X-ray, information and security systems, besides, operation of aircraft dismantling facilities.

Project owners from the UAE’s Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah airports, Pakistan’s Sialkot Airport, Iran’s Qeshm International Airport, India’s Durgapur, Ludhiana and Maharashtra airports, as well as airport authorities from Tunisia, Djibouti, Algeria, Bahrain, China, Kuwait and Bangladesh,  will participate in the show.

Also, officials in charge of the Dh14.68 billion ($4 billion) enhancement of the King Abdul Aziz Airport, and the redevelopment at the Hurghada (Dh3 billion) and Cairo Airport (Dh2.3 billion) airports in Egypt will be present.

In total, the Airport Show has confirmed the attendance of project owners representing nearly Dh25 billion ($6.8 billion) in airport project development.

The ‘Future Airports’ conference will be held concurrently with the Airport Show, from May 19 to 20, 2009, with the implementation of major new airport developments in the Mena region and India, topping the agenda at the two-day forum. – TradeArabia News Service