More than 7,200 attendees from aviation industry worldwide attended the 17th edition of the Airport Show in Dubai, which concluded today, with organisers terming it as a resounding success.

Reflecting a strong confidence in Middle East’s aviation sector and the Airport Show, more than 50 per cent of the exhibitors confirmed their participation for the next year.

Reed Exhibitions Middle East, organisers of the Airport Show, announced that Airport Show 2018 will be held from May 8 to 10, 2018 in Dubai.

“The aviation industry expansion in the Middle East continues to surpass average global growth rates. Future projections are equally promising and are behind the ongoing and considerable investment in aircraft, technology and infrastructure. The Airport Show brings together solution providers from around the world giving them the opportunity to explore the latest trends and bring forward innovative products and services designed to support ongoing industry growth and service enhancements,” 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, said during the opening of the show.

The 3-day world’s largest annual airport event, which concluded today, witnessed participation of over 300 exhibitors from over 50 countries.

Daniyal Qureshi, group exhibition director, Reed Exhibitions Middle East, said: “The unprecedented success of the Airport Show is a testament to the strong growth in the aviation industry in Middle East and the investment to the tune of billions of dollars toward expansion programmes, which are fueling global aviation growth. The collaborative opportunities approach if regional authorities and integrators with neighbouring authorities and global suppliers facilitates unparalleled opportunities. We are proud to announce that more than 50 per cent of the exhibitors have booked for the next year’s Airport Show, which will be held from May 8-10, 2018.”

The 17th edition of the Airport Show had the largest ever international representation with eight dedicated country pavilions, for global participants to showcase and launch their products, services and solutions.

The exhibitors said Airport Show 2017 helped them strengthen their existing business relations and they also received serious business enquiries.

Strong confidence
As Airport Show grew from strength to strength over the years, many exhibitors celebrated their long association with the event, also mirroring the opportunities generated with the strong growth of Middle East’s aviation industry .

Germany Pavillion, the largest pavilion with 34 exhibitors, celebrated the 17th year of its participation at the Airport Show this year.

Dieter Heinz, president of German Association for Airport Technology and Equipment (GATE), founder of German Pavilion in Airport Show and an aviation industry veteran, said: “Dubai, in particular, the UAE and the Middle East, are among the most important markets for airport technology for us as they are always looking for the best technology and advanced systems. During these years of our participation at the Airport Show, there is a cooperation on both sides and the German companies have understood the requirements of the region, which they develop and bring the solutions and the technology to suit those requirements. There is a local appreciation of the quality and reliability and confidence in German technology and in our association, we have not only catered on a large scale but also for small companies.”

He added: “Airport Show is one of the most attended aviation events and the show has grown over the years. We are very happy with our association and certainly look forward to our participation in the show next year.”

Sameh Gaafar, senior manager, Airports & Security Europe, Middle East & Africa Information Management Services, Rockwell Collins, participating in the Airport Show for over 10 years, said: “We are participating in Airport Show for more than a decade. Being associated with Dubai Airports and other prestigious clients in this region, we see the Airport Show as a great event which brings the best of aviation players under one roof. With a lot of new mega aviation projects coming up in the region, the outlook for the coming years is very promising and Airport Show is a place where companies get to tap into new opportunities and explore the best technologies.”

Michael Reichle, chief executive officer, Siemens Postal, Parcel & Airport Logistics, said: “Siemens has been regularly participating in the Airport Show for more than 10 years now and every year we introduce new innovative technology to the show. The show has international participation and reflects the robust growth of Middle East’s aviation sector and we are glad to be a part of this growth. We see the Airport Show as a strong platform to showcase our smart technologies, and at the same time, explore the latest offerings from across the world. We look forward to our participation next year as well.”

Airport Show 2017 also provided an ideal launch pad for many exhibitors.

Oman Airport Management Company (OAMC) launched first-ever virtual reality applications for airports for the first ever time during the show.  Mohammed Al-Raisi, technology innovation specialist, OAMC, said: “For the first ever time, we have recently launched four applications, two for Muscat International Airport and two for Salalah Airport. The virtual walkthrough takes you inside the airport and shows you the passenger experience from the drop off area to the gate.  The Airport Show is the best platform to introduce this technology.”

The exhibitors said the three days of the Airport Show were highly rewarding as the show involved participation of suppliers and buyers from across different sectors.

The Business Connect programme at the Airport Show, that witnessed participation from over 200 buyers from more than 50 regional authorities, provided unparalleled opportunities to the participants.

Reed Exhibitions Middle East said there were more than 1,500 meetings every day during the show. – TradeArabia News Service