Dubai's Airport Show concludes with record attendees

The 16th edition of the Airport Show proved to be the most successful by far with exhibitors reporting a record number of potential business deals and more than 7,500 attendees from the aviation industry worldwide.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, chairman of Dubai Airports and chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group, said the success of the Airport Show is a reflection of the strength and importance of Middle East aviation market for global players. 

“The Airport Show has seen double-digit growth this year reflecting the strong interest and an unwavering global confidence in the Middle East, particularly in the UAE, which is making significant investments in the sector, actively embracing latest technological innovations, and opening doors of tremendous opportunities for global industry players. 

It’s a clear message that MENA region is one of the most important markets and its growth can be a driving force for international aviation industry. Dubai continues to focus on becoming the world-leader in aviation and is investing billions of dollars toward infrastructure development to meet the needs of the future growth,” said Sheikh Ahmed. 

The three-day world’s largest annual airport event, which concluded today, witnessed participation of over 300 exhibitors from over 55 countries; with more than 25 new products and latest technology solutions being introduced for the first time in the Middle East. 

The  show recorded a double digit growth in exhibitor participation, space and number of attendees. There were over 3,500 meetings between buyers and exhibitors during the three-day event, another record breaking milestone for the show.

Reed Exhibitions, the organisers of the Airport Show, announced that next year, the Airport Show will be held from May 15-17, 2017. 

Daniyal Qureshi, Group Exhibition director, Reed Exhibitions Middle East, said: “The show has been a resounding success and reaffirms our belief that the Middle East region still offers the greatest opportunities for global airport suppliers looking to expand their business.” 

“The region has made a commitment to develop the friendliest, smartest and most advanced facilities for global travellers and authorities from all GCC countries as well as other regions, were at the show to welcome suppliers from over 55 countries,” added Qureshi. 

The exhibitors said Airport Show 2016 helped them strengthen their existing business relations and they also received serious business enquiries. 

George Hannouche, CEO, Bayanat Airports and Engineering Supplies, which has been participating in the Airport Show for the last 14 years, said: “We have been participating at the Dubai Airport Show since 14 years as it is the most important airport related event in Middle East and Africa region. We look forward to Airport Show every year as our international technology partners join us, under the Bayanat stand, to display their latest Airport innovations. Furthermore during the three days of the show we meet executives from Airports & Aviation Authorities, Airport Consultants and Contractors from the UAE and the Middle East & North Africa. We also participate to the various Airport conferences that take place during the show in addition to meeting with local and international media interested to report about the airport development boom that has been so vital to the success of aviation in the region.” 

A representative from Cairo Airport Company, said: “There have been lot of expansion at the Cairo International Airport and during the three days of our participation we received many queries from suppliers who are keen on tapping into the new opportunities arising as a result of the expansion. We also explored some of the latest international technologies being displayed at the Airport Show and are quite impressed with those. Our participation in the Airport Show has been very useful and it is a very strong B2B platform for aviation industry in the region.”

Wesam Jammoul, executive director - Projects, Smartworld, an Etisalat and Dubai South joint venture engaged in providing integrated IT solutions, said: “We have had very successful three-day participation at the Airport Show and were able to meet with serious potential clients. The Airport Show is the world’s leading platform for aviation industry stakeholders worldwide. With the airports increasingly focusing on adopting new and smart technologies, the demand for such technology is growing rapidly in the region. The iconic show has proved to be an ideal platform to showcase Smartworld’s latest portfolio of services, that can significantally contribute to enhancing efficiencies in terms of better services as well as cost effectiveness.” 

Juergen Strommer, chief operating officer for Europe, Middle East and Africa, Cavotec, said: “The Airport Show has helped Cavotec tremendously in featuring the unique technologies and solutions that it has for today's highly-demanding aviation industry. The B2B platform has allowed Cavotec to connect with airport operators and help them achieve optimum efficiency and profitability to remain competitive.”

Morten Pankoke, chief operating officer of Exruptive, which showcased its Intelligent Trolley and Trolley Security Scanner, said: “We are extremely pleased with the response from trade visitors at the Airport Show. There have been invitations to visit many airports.  Though we are here for the first time, we have a prime location which gave us lots of attention.” 

Dieter Pade, vice president, Nilfisk-Advance Technologies, under Cyclone Technology, said the Airport Show is a platform for the company to associate with other airports in the region. “Like other exhibitors, we also received enquiries. We are looking forward to associating with airports in this region.”

Nicholas W. Mobayed, Chairman, UK-based Bond Group, which displayed green and sustainable solutions for the aviation sector, alongwith its partner companies, said: “The Airport Show, in which we have been participating from the time it started, is the gateway into the region’s aviation sector. We have received a very encouraging response within the first two days and are confident of a rewarding participation.”

Viktoriya Sarafova, International Sales, of TEC Huenert, said: “Our participation at the Airport Show has helped us to gauge the business potential in view of the enquiries from trade visitors.” 

Business Connect 

The Business Connect programme at the Airport Show, that witnessed participation from over 150 buyers from more than 50 regional authorities, provided unparalleled opportunities to the participants.

There were over 3,500 meetings between buyers and exhibitors during the three-day event, another record breaking milestone for the show.

Country pavilions 

International participants used the Airport Show as a platform to introduce smart technology products and solutions in the Middle East market.

The 16th edition of the Airport Show has a strong international representation with seven dedicated country pavilions, with around 100 exhibitors, for global participants to showcase and launch their products, services and solutions.

Women in Aviation 

The Airport Show 2016 also provided a dedicated platform supporting ‘Arab Women in Aviation’, held with the aim to inspire young adults to tap into a multitude of career opportunities in the aviation sector across the Middle East. 

The ‘Arab Women in Aviation’ witnessed participation of women from across the UAE, Qatar, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Romania and other countries. 

The three-day forum saw panel discussions on issues related to women in the aviation sectors including working conditions, challenges and opportunities in the sector. 

WTCEME 

Exhibitors at the World Travel Catering and Onboard Services Expo Middle East (WTCEME), co-located event with the Airport Show, with a strong participation from more than 70 international travel catering players from across 20 countries, said they were able to reach out to potential buyers through their participation in the show.

Safeen Arifi from Arioli Trasimeno, which is a first time participant in the WTCEME, said: “The response has been quite encouraging on the first day itself. The Airport Show and the WTCEME are very strong platforms for aviation industry players and we see it as an ideal platform to tap into fresh opportunities.” 

Franco Laurieri, CEO, Laurieri, an Italy-based company, which is showcasing a wide range of sweet and savory bakery products, said: “This is the third time we are participating in this expo and it has helped us develop new business relationships. We see a strong demand from the Middle East aviation industry and are keen on tapping in to the opportunities here.”