Major airport expansions and a booming aviation industry across the Middle East.

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22 May 2007

Major airport expansions and a booming aviation industry across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia will be reflected by a record gathering of suppliers from around the world at the Airport Show which opens in Dubai next week.

The event, the region's only dedicated trade show for airport construction, operations and technologies, has grown by 25 per cent this year and, with more than 500 suppliers from 52 countries and an expected 5,000 visitors, will be Asia's largest international airport industry exhibition.

Dubai World Central - the US$ 8.2 billion international airport being built at Jebel Ali, Dubai.

Taking part for the first time is Dubai World Central, which is looking to secure suppliers for the US$ 8.2 billion international airport being built at Jebel Ali. The airport, set to be the largest in the world, is part of the 140-square-kilometre US$33 billion DWC development and is designed to serve the emirate's passenger and cargo air transportation needs until 2050 and beyond, handling over 120 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo a year.

Qatar's New Doha International Airport will be highlighting the US$ 5.5 billion project to create a new aviation hub in the region while the Abu Dhabi Airports Company will be seeking suppliers for its US$ 6.8 billion expansion of Abu Dhabi International Airport. Other projects under the spotlight include the US$ 4.1 billion revamp of Dubai International Airport and the US$ 4.8 billion expansion of the King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Emirates Group will also have a major presence at the Airport Show this year. The Dubai government-owned group, which includes Emirates Airline, Dnata and Emirates SkyCargo, is the region's largest aviation and airport ground handling operator. Procurement specialists intend to source new technologies and brief industry suppliers on equipment requirements for their existing operations at Dubai International Airport as well as for their future expansion needs.

In addition officials from Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE), an investment vehicle designed to channel US$15 billion into creating a global aerospace manufacturing and services corporation, will be attending to source suppliers.