An impressive line-up of influential leaders and experts from the world of aviation will address this year’s Global Airport Leaders’ Forum (Galf) on the opening day of the 18th edition of Airport Show.

Held under the patronage and presence of 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, the Airport Show will be held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC) from May 7 to 9.

To ensure that the Galf continues to remain an undisputed knowledge-sharing platform for the aviation industry and airports, in particular, Airport Show organisers, Reed Exhibitions Middle East, has tied up with Capa-Centre for Aviation to organise Galf running alongside the world’s largest airport industry exhibition to debate the global strategic challenges and opportunities facing airport operators, regulators and industry suppliers.

Established in 1990, Capa provides independent market intelligence, research and data solutions that support strategic decision-making at hundreds of the leading companies in global aviation.
 
This year’s Global Airport Leaders’ Forum will explore how airports can adapt their business models, implement smart innovations and embrace collaborative partnerships with airlines to adapt and flourish in the digital age.

Sheikh Ahmed remarked: “Whether it is the latest scanning technologies, passenger experiences or robot baggage handlers, the region’s airports are investing in the latest technology and concepts to delight customers and stay ahead of the competition. This exciting time in the industry will be reflected at Airport Show 2018."

Key issues in debate at this year’s event include smart airports, IT and automation, airport retailing, passenger experience enhancement, airline-airport partnership, airport privatisation, infrastructure financing, airport collaborative decision making (A-CDM), robotics in airports, aerotropolis and air traffic control (ATC).

Speakers include Dubai Airports CEO, Paul Griffiths; Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) director general and CEO of dans, Mohammed Abdullah Ahli; Capa-Centre for Aviation executive chairman, Peter Harbison; Carlson Wagonlit Travel’s chief data scientist, Eric Tyree; Bahrain Airport Company CEO, Mohammed Al BinFalah, and many others

Also addressing the forum will be Aerotropolis Business Concepts’ president and CEO, Dr John Kasarda; City of Vantaa Project director, Arja Lukin; Final Approach managing director, Alexander Kirby; AIREA and Tehran IKIA Airport City managing director and chief development officer, Pieter van der Horst, amongst others.

The Airport Show will cover 15,000-sq-m of space across three spacious halls, with over 350 exhibitors from 90 countries. The event expects to welcome close to 7,500 attendees over the three days. In addition to Galf, this year’s three other co-located conferences include Air Traffic Control (ATC) Forum, Airport Security Middle East and Women in Aviation (WIA) General Assembly, with over 700 delegates expected to attend these events. - TradeArabia News Service