The 2012 edition of Dubai’s biennial Airport Show, a major link to the airport industry in the Middle East, expects an increase of up to 20 per cent over the previous edition, said the organisers of the event.

The Airport Show 2012 will be held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center from May 22 to 24. The event, which will see participation from more than 160 international companies, is expected to attract over 5,000 trade visitors from 65 countries.

The role of the aviation sector in Dubai's economy will grow further in the coming years due to the massive expansion programmes of airports, said Jamal Al Hai, executive senior vice president for Communications and International Affairs at Dubai Airports during his meeting with Frederic Theux, president and CEO of event organisers Reed Exhibitions Middle East, and Mohamad Bader-Eddin, show director of Airport Show.

The meeting addressed many issues related to the airport industry and covered the preparations for the 2012 edition of the biennial Airport Show.

Al Hai said: “Dubai is the leading air transport industry hub in the region and has the capacity and capability of hosting exhibitions and conferences for the aviation industry successfully. This was supported by the achievements of the Dubai Airshow and our high expectations of success for the Airport Show.”

Frederic Theux praised the support being provided by Dubai Airports, Dubai Aviation City Corporation and Dubai World Central.

The 2012 edition will be taking place at a time when billions of dollar will be invested in the expansion of airports in the UAE, these include the $8 billion for the Dubai International development and the Dh25 billion ($6.8 billion) for Abu Dhabi Airport.

In addition, billions of dollars have been invested in expansion programmes of airports in GCC states and other parts of the Middle East. – TradeArabia News Service