13th Airport Show closes on successful note

This year's show was bigger than the previous edition in terms of space, number of Hosted Buyers and pre-registered attendees.

Airport Show-2013 took place on a space of over 11,000 square metres and attracted 220 exhibitors from 35 countries - of which 50 are local companies who brought international partners with them on their stands.

The show had over 60 Hosted Buyers from 12 countries - Iran, Turkey, Jordan, Kuwait, Tunisia, Djibouti, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Pakistan, Egypt, Iraq and India. It also featured six country pavilions.

Another highlight of the show was Women in Aviation, an inspiring photography travelling exhibition highlighting the role and contribution of women in the global aviation and aiming to inspire Emirati women to take up leadership roles.

About 50% of the exhibitors have booked their participation in the 2014 edition to further tap the promising regional aviation markets.

A number of exhibitors reported high volume deals, while many others said that they got good number of leads to improve on in coming days.

The Airport Passenger Experience, a terminal-format zone featuring futuristic technologies and solutions for airport operations, was an instant hit with the visitors who were offered a sneak peak of the ways in which the travel industry will transform in the coming years.

As many as 23 companies from various parts of the world showcased their trend-setting technology portfolio to thousands of visitors who gathered at the Sheikh Rashid Hall of the Dubai International Convention and Exhibitions Centre (DICEC) for the show.

Technologies and services displayed at the show included Communication systems, Internet and mobile connectivity, Passenger and baggage handling, Passenger and baggage scanning, Passenger guidance, Passenger information, Passport scanning, biometrics and IRIS, Promotional displays, Seating and VIP lounges, Surveillance and access control systems, Terminal signage and Ticketing, reservation and check in.

With over 35 experts and thought-leaders from airports, airlines and other organizations sharing their insights on industry issues and travel trends, the Global Airport Leaders' Forum GALF) emerged as an ideal platform where experts shared ideas, discussed future trends and needs and presented innovative solutions to issues of common interest.

H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Matkoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, who opened both the Airport Show and GALF, said the event mirrors the aviation industry's robust growth and the region's economic resilience.

The event enabled decision-makers and other aviation industry professionals to explore latest technologies and identify future challenges, in order to further promote the success of a thriving aviation industry in the region.

Mohammed Abdulla Al Ahli, Director General of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), said: "It was a good opportunity for Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) team to see such a wide variety of latest technology showcased by world leaders in providing airport technologies and solutions. It will benefit the industry in overall terms."

Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation, commented that all companies that participated in the show have an opportunity to work in the regional markets and expand their presence across the region and not just in the UAE. The show provided the industry with the opportunity to utilize the expertise of leading aviation suppliers and manufacturers in order to identify and adopt best practices and solutions that will support aviation development programmes.

Dieter A Heinz, President of German Airport Technology & Equipment, talked about the strong bond between Germany and the UAE, which began in 1985 and continues to grow, and said that this show was yet another occasion to strengthen the ties.
He said that airports in Europe have reached their maximum, while the Middle East aviation sector continues to grow. "Dubai is a strong competitor to the European airports as a hub offering high-class airport services and more convenient flight connections between Asia and the Europe as well as to the US. It is more convenient to go to any part of the world through Dubai," he said.

Gurcharanjit Singh, Regional Account Manager (Commercial & Business Development) of dnata, which serves about 250 airlines at 19 airports in eight countries, said the Airport Show-2013 provided an excellent opportunity to learn about latest technologies that will ease the ground handling at airports.

"This time again, these three days were a good opportunity to meet our partners, gauge how to support the industry and how to improve ground handling services. We also got a number of leads and will continue to work on them," he said.

Paolo Serra, Director of Dubai World Central's (DWC) Business Park, was also pleased with the response he received at the show.

"We have generated about 60 qualified leads from companies interested in acquiring office space, as well as space for hangars and warehouses, to increase their presence in Dubai. We also signed a deal with a Swiss airport supplier interested in setting up its office at the DWC Business Park," he said.

The state-of-the-art scanner machine used by the custom officials was a great success during the show. Showcased by IO Systems Ltd, Ireland, the scanner also got appraisal from airport authorities of the region.

"A leading airport in the region has placed an order for 116 machines, with a total value of Dhs68 million. Incidentally, it is also the first major business in the region," said Stephen McSorley, Systems Engineering Manager of IO Systems Ltd, Ireland.

So far, 40 scanners have been installed at the airport while the rest of the machines will be installed by the end of 2013.

"Major highlight of the machine is its ability to divert suspected baggage to the next row, which can uplift 50% passenger experience. It has significantly improved services as over 400 baggage are checked by the officials per hour now, compared to 250 baggage per hour in the past," he added.

Nobuya Hishinuma, Manager of Sanki Engineering, Japan, expressed satisfaction over his company's maiden participation at the show. He said that while the company is big in Japan, it does not have significant presence outside the country.

"This show has provided us with a unique opportunity to showcase our products to airport operators from Middle East, Africa and South Asia who have showed great interest," he said.

Among the most popular products was Sanki Sorting Machine, as well as the eco-friendly conveyor belt, which reduces power consumption up to 40% the comparing to traditional conveyor belts.

"This conveyor belt needs a smaller motor to run, which is magnetic. This is a new technology and is being showcased for the first time in the Middle East," he pointed out.

LG Electronics was yet another major exhibitor thrilled by the response it received during the much sought-after B2B event.

Marcelle Bou Malhab, Business Development Manager (Digital Signage Team) of LG Electronics, said the company has received tremendous response from visitors from the Middle East and Africa region.

"It was a big success, much more than our expectation. We have received many orders as well as a number of leads to follow after the show. It was the best exhibition so far," she concluded.

Daniyal Qureshi, Event Director of the Airport Show, which was organised by Reed Exhibitions, said: "The resounding success of the 13th Airport Show has proved beyond doubt that the B2B event has consolidated its position. We would like to thank everyone involved for delivering an excellent show. We are delighted that half of this year's exhibitors have made bookings for the next year's show and we are confident that the exhibitors will benefit from their continued participation in terms of market impact and securing business from the region's airports. We are confident that we will exceed the expectations of the market at the 2014 edition, with even more exhibitors and hosted buyers."

He added: "We feel there is a positive sentiment across the aviation industry, since several airport developments have been announced in the region in the past 18 months. Mega-projects that had slowed down are picking up pace again. International suppliers are looking to the region, so massive airport upgrades are necessary to meet the fleet and aircraft upgrades."

A survey of aviation industry professionals, carried out by the Airport Show, rated the Middle East as the world's region with the 'highest potential' for airport investment and expansion in the next five years.

An investment of $90bn is projected to go into the aviation industry in the Middle East by 2020. The Middle East region is expected to handle 400 million air passengers by 2020, including 98 million by Dubai, while air traffic is expected to grow by 5.2% annually until 2030. Middle East airlines are expected to experience the highest growth in passenger traffic, at 5.8% per annum through 2025, compared to the world average of 4.6%.

Show exhibitors and Hosted Buyers expressed strong confidence on the market outlook for the airport industry and the impact that the show has made.

Muhammad Musharraf Khan, Project Director of Pakistan's Civil Aviation Authority, said his team, as Hosted Buyers, met several exhibitors to finalise the procurement of technologies and solutions for the New Benazir Bhutto International Airport in Islamabad, due to start its first phase in June 2014.

The $900m Greenfield airport, with three runways, will have a passenger handling capacity of six million in the first phase, followed by nine million in the second phase and 25 million in the third phase.

"Airport Show was an ideal platform for us to see what the latest in the technology is and what we could get from here in terms of our requirements.
We are very happy with the outcome of the visit," he said.

The team met exhibitors who presented various products and solutions, including Flight Information Display Systems (FIDS), baggage handling system and Master System Integrator.

Abdullah Al Busaidi of Oman Airports Management Company said his team was thrilled to participate in the show, as it not only helped them understand the current requirements and trends of the industry, but also provided a glimpse into the future of aviation industry and the way people will be travelling in the near future.

"This show was a chance for us to find out the latest technologies, services and ideas as well as a platform to meet leading companies in the aviation sector. It was important because in the next two years, technologies will become even more advanced, while passengers' expectations will also go up," he said.

Ahmed Samir Rotaba, Administrative Manager for the Rehabilitation and Expansion Project of Cairo Airport Company, said: "We are looking for everything (to procure) as we are building Terminal 2 of Cairo Airport and soon we will start the Cairo Airport City as well as Cairo Cargo City."

Ali El Etriby, General Manager, Commercial Contracts, Egyptian Airports Company, said that apart from latest technologies, he came to the show to find investments which will boost the company's performance.

Reed Exhibition Middle East is also pleased to announce that it has been awarded the Airline Travel Catering profile and will be co-locating the event with next year's Airport Show.

The Airline Travel Catering Show will be the only event in the Middle East focusing on the travel catering industry, offering three days of unique business and networking opportunities. With the Middle East expected to order over 1,000 aircraft over the next 10 years, creating a huge demand for airline catering equipment and expertise, the show will be a must-attend event for the industry's stakeholders.