Airport Show records significant interest from regional Airport Buyers

Massive investments by Middle East airports toward expansion continue to drive global aviation growth and attract global manufacturers and suppliers to explore tremendous business opportunities in aviation sector in the region.

Over $100 billion worth of airport projects, intended to address capacity gap, are underway and planned across the Middle East, according to a recent report from business intelligence service MEED.  Airport passenger volumes in the region were 11 per cent higher than the capacity and new projects will create an addition capacity for 400 million passengers annually over the next 10 to 20 years, the report said. In 2016, Middle East airports posted the world's most robust growth, recording a 9.4 per cent increase in the number of passengers passing through the airports, according to Airports Council International (ACI).

As these investments toward airport projects create new business opportunities in the region, the Airport Show 2017 will bring buyers and global suppliers and manufacturers on a common platform to tap into these opportunities as well as facilitate business deals through its exclusive ‘Business Connect’ platform.

More than 200 buyers from 60 regional aviation authorities, seeking procurement at their doorstep for their expansions, are expected to join ‘Business Connect’, a unique matchmaking platform that provides unparalleled business opportunities through pre-scheduled meetings during the 3-day aviation event.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), Chairman of Dubai Airports, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, from May 15-17, 2017, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Airport Show is expected to have participation from more than 300 leading companies from around the world and a projected 7,500 attendees.

The world’s leading B2B event for airport procurement, supplies, solutions and technology enjoys a strong support from both the government and private sectors and is an industry favourite.

In 2016, the event witnessed over 3,000 pre-scheduled meetings between buyers and exhibitors and organisers are expecting to up these numbers by 15% this year.

Akram Darwish, Transportation and Logistics Coordinator, Aqaba Development Corporation, Jordan, a Hosted Buyer, said: “Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC) yearly has in its annual budget a dedicated capital expenditures module for the capital projects in King Hussein International Airport. The upcoming and ongoing projects this year focus on the enhancement of KHIA security plan, for which we latest technologies are being used. The Airport Show gives us the chance to meet and know about the well-known suppliers and manufacturers in this field. We find the Business Connect platform very useful for our company as it helps us concentrate on our priorities and make productive use of our time at the Show.”

Nawaz Ahmed Toor, Admin Manager from Sialkot International Airport, said: “The Business Connect is a very useful tool whereby service providers are brought into direct contact with the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) from around the world. We look forward to exploring the latest developments in the field of Airport infrastructure, Ground Handling Equipment and I.T. related systems and, the participating OEMs would come to know of Sialkot International Airport’s current and future requirements and would propose possible options in enhancing and up-grading the airport’s operational efficiency.”

Adel Abdul Aziz Malalah, Chief Government Relation Officer, Kuwait National Aviation Services, also a Hosted Buyer, said:    The Business Connect platform was useful in knowing potential suppliers in the Middle east market. It also helps to know about the developments in the aviation industry in the Middle East. During our participation in the previous editions of the Airport Show we explored the latest technology, services related to the Aviation industry from different international companies.”

Alpros HAMZOUQ, Quality & Safety management Director, Operations Department, Airport International Group, The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, said: “Business Connect is important for us as it helps in preparing for this very important aviation event in terms of scheduling and defining specific needs as well as gives the time for the potential buyer and the supplier to discuss freely. During our previous participations, we met suppliers and got introduced to their products which helped us save time and effort whenever we needed additional or new services and products.”

The Business Connect programme ensures that exhibitors are able to make the business contacts essential for their company’s needs through pre-scheduled meetings.

The Airport Business Connect will feature Africa Business Connect, dedicated to African aviation officials, Airport Security Business Connect and Air Traffic Control Business Connect, which together will host over 150 officials from regional airports, ANSPs and airport engineering departments – facilitating business for exhibitors through over 3,500 pre-scheduled meetings with key officials during the event.

Daniyal Qureshi, Group Exhibition Director, Reed Exhibitions Middle East, said: “Airport expansion in the Middle East has been driving global aviation growth with the numerous business opportunities it is creating for international manufacturers and suppliers. With $100 billion worth of projects planned and underway in the region, suppliers are highly keen on tapping into the potential business it can create. As the number of passengers is projected to continue rising, aviation industry expects further investments. We are highly pleased that the Business Connect programme is providing an apt platform where suppliers get an opportunity to directly connect with the decision-makers and buyers and make the most of their three-day participation in the Airport Show. Last year, Business Connect witnessed over 3,000 pre-scheduled meetings and this time, we expect the number to significantly exceed this.”

This year’s show will see buyers from Algeria, Armenia, Burkina Faso, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Pakistan, Qatar, Sudan, Tanzania, Kuwait, Seychelles and the host country, UAE.

The Airport Show is supported by DCAA, Dubai Airports, dnata and Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP), amongst a host of other international aviation organisations.