Airways International to open Middle East office in Dubai to drive regional expansion

The company announced on the final day of the Airport Build & Supply Exhibition in Dubai today (Wednesday) that it is to conduct an expansion study for Iran's Qeshm International Airport, on an island in the Straits of Hormuz.

The expansion, which would increase the airport's capacity to more than half a million passengers each year, is part of an ambitious plan by the Iranian government to attract foreign investment and facilitate the flow of know-how into the Qeshm Island free zone.

The airport could also play a key contingency role as a temporary base for regional airlines when their hub airports are out of use. "Strategically located in the Straits of Hormoz, in close proximity to Iran, the Gulf countries and Central Asia, Qeshm Island has a vast potential for economic growth, and as new people and business come to the island, the airport's future is bright," said Mike Tournier, Marketing Manager, Airways International.

"Qeshm is not trying to compete with the regional airport hubs, but to supplement them. It can act as the ultimate solution in contingency situations when Gulf-owned airlines cannot land in their own airports."

While the company has also been contracted for a telecommunications study of Qeshm, plans are under way to attract leisure travellers, with KPMG, the gobal providers of financial advisory, assurance and legal services, currently conducting a master plan on how to boost tourism on the island.

Confirming the opening of Airways International's first Middle East office in Dubai later this year, Tournier added: "Our turnover will reach $1.5 million in 2003, and we are expecting this figure to triple in the next 18 months."

Organised by Streamline Marketing and held at Airport Expo Dubai, the third Airport Build & Supply Exhibition was held under the patronage of H.H.Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation and chairman of Emirates Airline.

Drawing to a close tonight (Wednesday), the Middle East's leading airport supplies exhibition attracted 100 exhibitors from 23 countries. Throughout the event, airport suppliers from across the Middle East and around the world held private meetings with civil aviation representatives to discuss Dubai International Airport's US $ 4.1 billion expansion, as well as some of the region's other major airport developments.

During the exhibition, CCM, the Italian specialists in fit-out furnishings, finishes and equipment for airports, completed a Dhs2.4 million deal with Doha International Airport.

"This year's participation has been very positive, we have received a lot of inquiries, and we're expecting another Dhs 1.5 million contract with Doha International Airport," said Ashish Mohan, Dubai Airport Site Manager of Dubai-based Al Shirawi, CCM's local partner.