Dhs500m in procurement contracts up for grabs at the 9th Airport Show

The procurement deals are linked to the more than Dhs220bn worth of airport development projects estimated to be under way across the MENASA region, with the GCC, Iran and Iraq alone accounting for 75 per cent of investments.

With at least 39 airports under construction or modernization across the markets, next week's Airport Show in Dubai is expected to offer a hive of business opportunities for suppliers across the value chain.

So far, Airport Show has confirmed attendance from 43 airport officials from 19 airports and aviation authorities from Tunisia to China, as well as over 200 industry suppliers from 30 countries.

The May 19-21 show, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Airports, will occupy 10,500 square metres of gross exhibit space at the central and west halls of the Dubai Airport Expo and include national pavilions from Germany, France, Italy, Denmark, United Kingdom and USA & Canada.

Frederic Theux, President of Reed Exhibitions Middle East, said priority projects for airport managers include construction of terminals, cargo and aircraft hangars, taxiways, electric substations, air traffic control towers, and services from baggage handling to X-ray, information and security systems, besides, operation of aircraft dismantling facilities.

Project owners from the UAE's Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah airports, Pakistan's Sialkot Airport, Iran's Qeshm International Airport, India's Durgapur, Ludhiana and Maharashtra airports, as well as airport authorities from Tunisia, Djibouti, Algeria, Bahrain, China, Kuwait and Bangladesh, will participate in the show, he said at a press conference in Dubai today.

Also, officials in charge of the Dhs14.68bn ($4bn) enhancement of the King Abdul Aziz Airport, and the redevelopment at the Hurghada (Dhs3bn) and Cairo Airport (Dhs2.3bn) airports in Egypt will be present. In total, the Airport Show has confirmed the attendance of project owners representing nearly Dhs25bn ($6.8bn) in airport project development, Theux noted.

"Airport Show is one of the world's most important events focusing on airport construction, technology and services and offers suppliers a unique forum to network with civil aviation officials, airport companies and consultants and contractors,"

he added.

"It is a one-stop platform for business decisions critical to the region's airport infrastructure, a must-attend event for teams involved in ongoing and future sector development."

Reed has implemented a series of programmes to streamline the procurement process for exhibitors and visitors, including a 'Hosted Buyer' programme that will bring senior management officials from airports in the region.

"Airport Show is built to encourage networking and business, and this year's edition will be no different. Despite the prevailing economic environment, we expect several business agreements to be concluded between our exhibitors and airport industry officials," Theux said.

Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports who also spoke at the press conference said the Airport Show is a valuable opportunity for operators to evaluate emerging technologies and prepare for next generation aircraft.

Georges Hannouche, CEO of Airport Show exhibitor Bayanat Airports & Engineering Supplies, the leading airport systems integrator in the region and a specialist in traffic control, runway and terminal systems, praised the Show's open dialogue model.

"The Airport Show allows us to listen to the concerns and problems facing airports and civil aviation authorities such as congestion, delays, and airport management. That is the first step in creating mutually beneficial solutions," he said. Besides Bayanat, exhibitors include leading companies from the UAE such as Pacific Control, Excel and Emirates National Factory for Plastic Industries and the key global companies such as Thales, Raytheon, Selex Sistemi Integrati, Siemens and Honeywell, to mention just a few.

The 'Future Airports' conference will be held concurrently with the Airport Show, from May 19 to 20, 2009, with the implementation of major new airport developments in the Middle East, North Africa and India (MENAI), topping the agenda at the two-day forum.

Among the confirmed speakers at the 'Future Airports' conference are Paul Griffiths, CEO, Dubai Airports; Rudy Vercelli, CEO, Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC); Mustafa Sani Sener, President and CEO, TAV Airport Holdings; Jean-Marie Chevallier, Chairman and CEO, Aéroports de Paris Management; and Jihad Boueri, Regional Director, Applications Services, Middle East & Turkey, SITA.

The first day of the conference will concentrate on airport growth with the second day looking at future airport development. Paul Griffiths, CEO, Dubai Airports will speak on the outlook for airport development in Dubai, highlighting the impact of global economic pressures, regulatory issues and wider industry trends.

In his presentation, Rudy Vercelli, CEO, Abu Dhabi Airports Company will address airport expansion in Abu Dhabi and beyond, and ADAC's role in Abu Dhabi's economic development. Expanding on the role of airports as catalysts for economic development, Rachid M'saadi, Secretary General, Office National Des Aéroports will examine the role of Morocco's airport development programme in the growth of the local tourism industry.

Andreas Schimm, Director Economics and Programme Development, Airports Council International (ACI), will consider how the airport industry should respond to the current economic downturn. His presentation will address factors such as when growth will return, where and in which sectors, and what the industry must do to maintain expansion.

Bob Everest, Vice President, Flight Operations Support, Emirates, will offer 'an airline's perspective on airport growth', elaborating on what airlines need from their airport partners and how the two entities can co-operate to ensure future growth is delivered.

Experts from the International Air Transport Association and Unique (formerly Zurich Airport Authority) will discuss the environmental challenges of airport design and operation, and some of the strategies that can help airport businesses.

Other topics at the conference will include the role of technology in improving the transit of passengers through airports, solutions that enhance the passenger experience, new approaches to security, and managing security with airport growth.

The 9th Airport Show is supported by leading aviation authorities and trade bodies including Dubai Airports, Abu Dhabi Airports Company, German Airport Technology & Equipment (GATE), British Aviation Group, British Airport Services & Equipment Association, Danish Airport Group and UBIFRANCE (the French Agency for international business development)