The 22nd edition of the Airport Show, the world’s largest annual airport event hosted by Dubai, closed on a high note in the wake of a full recovery in the global aviation industry led by the Middle East, especially the UAE.
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, who inaugurated the event, described Airport Show as an essential event timed perfectly to accelerate the global aviation industry recovery.
Ever since His Highness Sheikh Ahmed inaugurated the Show on May 9, 2023, there has been a continuous flow of quality visitors, including trade participants and industry stakeholders. The venue saw a footprint of more than 5,000 visitors.
The Show was held when the massive expansion of airport terminals in the Middle East was on the anvil. The airports are gearing up to handle 1.1 billion passengers by 2040, with the airports’ capacity expansions costing an investment of $151 billion. Abu Dhabi is reportedly spending $3 billion to open the new terminal, and Dubai is reportedly restarting the development of Al Maktoum International Airport.
Sheikh Ahmed said: “The construction of new airports and expansion and upgrading of existing facilities has gained pace to ensure airports meet the future demand as well as the needs and expectations of travellers.”
Exhibitors and participants expressed extreme satisfaction as they received overwhelming responses from other participants and stakeholders, which would be translated into future collaborations and strong business relationships.
Airport Show displayed products and services from over 150 exhibitors from more than 60 countries. The trade show with the theme, ‘Together in Innovating Future Sustainable Airports,’ has proved that it is the world’s largest annual airport industry B2B platform.
The 2023 Business Connect Programme hosted over 100 buyers representing 35 companies from over 20 countries.
Exhibitors from the US, Italy, France, Germany, Denmark, Turkey, Netherlands, China, Belgium, Korea and Sweden and several other countries, including the host, UAE, showcased the latest innovative products and technologies to make the aviation industry safe and sustainable, enhance efficiency and passenger experience.
The co-located events ATC Forum, Gulf Aviation Leaders‘ Forum (GALF), Airport Security Middle East and Women in Aviation Middle East Anniversary Conference were highly successful, with active and constructive participation of global experts and industry leaders.
The deliberations proved that GALF serves as a platform to shape the future of the aviation industry and a space where industry experts and stakeholders come together to share insight, engage in meaningful discussion and form strategic partnerships.
GALF celebrated its milestone 10th edition with positive news that the Middle East is leading the aviation recovery. Very soon, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia will achieve 100% recovery, as affirmed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
IATA’s Regional Director, Middle East and Africa, Kashif Khalid, said aviation industry recovery is on track with a solid start to 2023.
“The global aviation industry is almost close to the pre-pandemic level of 2019 numbers. Traffic is at approximately 88% of 2019 numbers. This means that we are almost at the pre-pandemic levels, and with the opening of China recently, we can expect to see the pre-2019 levels within the next few months,” he said at the GALF.
“The Middle East is leading global recovery, reaching 93% of the pre-2019 levels. We will soon forecast that the Middle East, especially Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Saudi Arabia, will cross the 100% recovery. Full recovery in passenger traffic in the Middle East is expected in 2024 and will grow at 4.2% annually through 2040,” he said.
The IATA official said: “If we look at airlines economics and finance, the Middle East is the only region poised to make a profit in 2023. And let’s look at the performance of Emirates, flydubai, Etihad Airways and Air Arabia. They have provided robust growth rates, reinstated capacity and are looking at record profits this year.”
Omar Bin Ghaleb, Deputy Director General of UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), reaffirmed the UAE leadership’s vision to create a world-class aviation ecosystem that embraces cutting-edge technology, fosters innovation, promotes sustainability and delivers an exceptional customer experience.
“We must navigate rapidly in a changing landscape. We recognise the significance of aviation in our national development, and we remain committed to positioning our airports and airlines at the forefront of global best practices.”
In line with the current focus on sustainability, the Airport Show exhibitors and participants showcased cutting-edge products and services.
Speakers also stressed embracing sustainability and adopting innovative technology to reduce carbon footprint.
Ibrahim Ahli, Deputy CEO of Dubai Air Navigation Services (dans), listed the challenges faced by the aviation industry and said the UAE has overcome the challenges and become the hub of aviation. “The challenges could be successfully faced under the determined vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the empowering leadership of HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, and Chairman of Dubai Air Navigation Services.
The industry’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint was reiterated through panel discussions, technology displays and service offerings.
Technology giant Honeywell used the Airport Show venue to launch its next-generation docking system, ‘ Honeywell Navitas Smart Visual Docking,’ which helps pilots via signals to see the aircraft docking and safely reach the airport gate.
In partnership with dnata, Airport Show presented the Sustainable Apron featuring electric/hybrid Ground Support Equipment (GSE) and Ground Handling Equipment (GHE) manufacturers.
Robert Powell, Vice President of Technical Services, dnata, said: “We could share our insights and plans with our partners to further improve environmental efficiency across the industry. It was a step to help the airport community achieve a more sustainable airport industry aiming to reduce carbon footprint year on year.”
May Ismail, Event Manager, Airport Show, said: “As organisers, we are glad that the Show could bring together top aviation leaders and stakeholders to build relationships and exchange knowledge on the platforms of ATC Forum, Airport Security Middle East, GALF and Women in Aviation Middle East Anniversary Conference.”
Airport Show, organised by RX Global, is supported by Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects, Dubai Airports and dnata, and sponsored by ADB Safegate, Smiths Detection and HADID International Services.