Germany makes major effort to cash in on airport developments in Middle East

The 34-member registered trade association of the German Airport Technology & Equipment (GATE) will use the event to introduce the latest developments of the German airport and technology industry in the Middle East.

Sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Economics in cooperation with the Confederation of German Trade Fair & Exhibition Industries, GATE aims to attract new customers in the region, re-establish existing contacts and build on new and established business opportunities.

"The participation of GATE for the first time is a great opportunity for the German aviation industry to showcase its products and services in a region that is spending billions of dollars on airport development programmes," said Nick Webb, director of event management and marketing specialists Streamline Marketing, organisers of the Airport Build and Supply Exhibition.

Among the GATE members who have confirmed their attendance is leading German company, Zacher Leiter-und Steigtechnik GmbH which provides access and ground support equipment, services and airport maintenance to global players who benefit from individual and full service solutions.

Zacher Leiter-und Steigtechnik GmbH has successfully established business operations in the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain and is looking to expand its reach in the Middle East market. The company will present its modular aluminium docking system for the maintenance of all types of aircraft. The systems are mobile and modular so that existing modules can be easily extended or rearranged to match the requirement of various aircraft types.

Zacher maintenance docks are cost effective in relation to set-up time and offer ergonomic working conditions, comfortable electric power as well as compressed air supply. By offering access to sections of the aircraft that cannot be reached easily, this docking system also reduces downtime.

Responding to the demand for an improvement of safety and reliability in the aircraft service industry, the company also develops a range of work stands and fuelling ladders with a variety of applications regarding the manufacture, assembly, maintenance and servicing of aircraft and helicopters.

The Airport Build and Supply Exhibition is held under the patronage of H.H.Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation (DDCA) and chairman of Emirates Airline.

Exhibiting in Dubai for the first time as part of the GATE group of companies, delair Air Traffic Systems will give a Middle East launch to darts, a unique air traffic management tool and the first arrival and departure management system in the world that enables airport operators, airlines and handling agents to work together to optimise air traffic operations at and around an airport. Darts ensures optimal use of the runway capacity, avoiding unnecessary delays in the air and on the ground.

"This product is in operation at one of Europe's busiest airports in Zurich," said Dietmar Dippe, director of delair Air Traffic Systems. "At other airports, such as the one in Frankfurt, it has the potential to save €1.7million in fuel costs per year. With Middle East airports becoming increasingly busier, we are hoping decision makers visiting the Airport Build and Supply Exhibition will see this cost effective and environmentally friendly system as the way of the future."