UK presence boosted at Airport Build & Supply Exhibition

Notes and media contacts

For more information contact:
David Scotter, BAG Director on
+44 (0)20 7091 4523

The show concentrates on 4 key areas of airport development:

• Construction: Planning, Consultancy, Design, Architecture, Interiors, Construction and Building Materials
• Operations: Baggage, Cargo, Aircraft & Passenger handling, Catering and Airfield Operations
• Technology: IT, Software, Lighting, ATC, Passenger Information Technology, Security and Technical Installations
• Services: Airport & Aircraft Maintenance, Ground Support & Handling and Management & Services

The Market

• Record oil prices & booming regional economies have enabled Middle East governments to allocate billions of dollars for infrastructure development projects across the region
• With an expected budget surplus of US$50 billion and a current account surplus of over US$100 billion for the 6 Gulf States alone, the spending is set to continue over the long term
• Economists have estimated US$650 billion worth of active projects in the Gulf, with another US$650 billion announced but not yet begun

Regional Aviation

• Meanwhile, Airbus estimates that Middle East & African airlines will require 1,016 new aircraft (worth US$124 billion) over the next 20 years
• Regional airport developments to cater for this increased traffic are estimated at well over US$40 billion
• Of these, Dubai (US$4.1b), Jebel Ali (US$8.1b), Abu Dhabi (US$6.8b) & Doha (US$5.5b) alone are worth just under US$25billion
• Other important developments include:

o India: Construction of 7 new airports & modernization of 30 existing ones – over US$10 billion
o Saudi Arabia: Expansion of Jeddah international airport - US$1.5 billion
o UAE: New Ajman international airport – US$800 million
o Egypt: Cairo, Sharm El Sheikh & Borg El Arab – US$850 million
o Libya: 6 new domestic airports plus upgrade of 3 international airports - US$850 million
o Pakistan: New Islamabad & Gwadar international airports – US$550 million
o Sudan: New Khartoum international airport – US$530 million
o Sri Lanka: Colombo expansion & new Hambantota airport - US$500 million

• These projects cover all aspects of airport development; from the consultancy and construction of new airports to the supplying and maintaining of existing facilities
• The developments will see the construction of 54 new terminal buildings, 10 airport hotels, 12 cargo complexes and over 47 other aviation related buildings that include commercial malls, office complexes, VIP lounges, aviation colleges and catering & parking facilities.

About BAG and SBAC:
BAG is part of the Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC). SBAC is the UK's national trade association representing companies supplying civil air transport, aerospace defence, homeland security and space. SBAC encompasses the British Airports Group and the United Kingdom Industrial Space Committee. Together with its regional partners, SBAC represents over 2,600 companies, assisting them in developing new business globally, facilitating innovation and competitiveness and providing regulatory services in technical standards and accreditation. To know more go to: www.sbac.co.uk

At present, the UK has the world’s largest aerospace industry outside the USA. UK based aerospace activity had a turnover of more than £17bn in 2004, supporting a highly skilled workforce of over 255,000 people.

About UK Trade & Investment:
UK Trade & Investment is the Government organisation that supports companies in the UK doing business internationally and overseas enterprises seeking to set up or expand in the UK. Its role is to help companies realise their international business potential through knowledge transfer, and on-going partnership support. To support its aim to 'enhance the competitiveness of companies in the UK through overseas trade and investments; and attract a continuing high level of quality foreign direct investment', UK Trade & Investment offers services to:

• UK businesses that want grow their business internationally (Trade Services)
• Overseas businesses that want to locate in the UK (Investment Services)

UK Trade & Investment is an international organisation with headquarters in London and Glasgow. Across its network UK Trade & Investment employs around 2,300 staff and advisers, including overseas in UK embassies, high commissions, consulates and trade offices, and in the nine English regions.
To know more go to: www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk