Panel discussion in progress during Airport Show in Dubai.

Airport Show, which concluded after a three-day run at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC), climbed another step in its journey of success and broke all records in its 19 years history in terms of occupied exhibition space, number of country pavilions, exhibitors, hosted buyers and visitors.

The world’s biggest airport industry event had an impressive participation by 375 exhibitors from 60 countries who showcased over 50 new technologies and innovative products at the B2B platform to a record 7500 participants and visitors. It had a record participation of 211 Hosted Buyers from 30 countries, up from last year’s 180. Next year’s edition will be bigger by 1,000 square metres exhibition space which has been added to this edition’s 15,000 square metres. Three new co-located events have been added for the next year edition: Ground Handling, GSE and Air Cargo. Global Airport Leaders Forum (GALF), Aviation Security and Air Traffic Control (ATC) Forum will continue its journey of success in the 2020 edition.

The role of women in aviation and aerospace sectors was also highlighted at the 4th edition of the Women in Aviation General Assembly, which was held on the sidelines of the Airport Show.

In her welcome address, Mervat Sultan, President, Women in Aviation Middle East Chapter, asked females to come forward and be part of the growth of the aviation industry.

Reed Exhibitions Middle East, the organizers of Airport Show, said this year’s much-anticipated show was a stupendous success taking into account different parameters, including the increased number of deals and strategic alliances signed between the participating companies and hosted buyers. The participants appreciated the aviation industry’s growth in the UAE, particularly in Dubai which has remained the most-successful aviation business model taking into account its unblemished track record of management of airports and their continued growth and expansion.

His Highness 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, who officially opened the Show, highlighted the importance of the aviation industry’s role in boosting the GDP growth and appreciated the impressive growth achieved by the industry.

He said: “Air travel is set to boom further across the world. Airports are growing in size and prominence as the cities compete to be preferred hubs for the tech-savvy travellers. The air transport sector is now worth a $2.7 trillion in global economic activity, carrying more than four billion passengers and 62 million tonnes of freight each year.” Appreciating the successful holding of the Airport Show, he said: “A good way of learning from each other’s experiences and exploring the new technology and innovations is visiting trade exhibitions like Airport Show that the emirate has been hosting as part of its commitment to offer the industry a bouquet of latest technology products.” This year’s sponsors include DACO, emaratech, ASGC, Tytek, DTP, Smiths Detection, Skyguide, Smartworld and Thales. Tytek showcased its next generation trauma response system and medical products, and a customized system that will help the authorities to act quickly for life-saving to visitors until the emergency services can gain access.

Bishoy Azmi, CEO of ASGC, one of the main sponsors of Airport Show, remarked: “The aviation sector and its infrastructure is one of the pillars of the UAE economy, especially Dubai, which highly focuses on this sector. Our company has a strategic relations with the aviation sector in Dubai and we are currently executing projects at the Dubai International - now the world’s top airport in terms of international passenger numbers- and Al Maktoum International.” He pointed out that the giant projects like the construction of airports requires extensive experience and knowledge of the entire aspects of the aviation industry.