Leading Airport Suppliers gather in Dubai for the Airport Build and Supply Exhibition

More than 130 exhibitors representing almost 30 countries will gather under one roof on Monday, 7 June, for the Middle East’s leading airport supplies event, the Airport Build & Supply Exhibition, which takes place at the Airport Expo Dubai until Wednesday, 9 June.

Organised by event management and marketing specialists, Streamline Marketing the event is a vital showcase of a huge range of specialised airport equipment and services. Visitors to the exhibition will include key decision makers from regional departments of civil aviation, government departments, VIPs and UAE-based and international consultants and contractors.

“The level of airport development and expansion is at its greatest since the Airport Build and Supply Exhibition was first launched four years ago, with airport development programmes in the Middle East and North Africa worth an estimated US$15 billion,” said Laith Kubba, Director, Streamline Marketing, at a press conference today.

One of the major attractions for the record number of exhibitors is Dubai International Airport’s US$4.1 billion expansion programme.

“The second phase of Dubai International Airport’s expansion is going according to plan and will be completed by 2006,” said Khalifa Al Zaffin, Director, Engineering Projects, Department of Civil Aviation (DCA), Dubai.

The expansion programme includes the construction of a third terminal and two new concourses, to be used exclusively by Emirates, a US$137 million upgrade to the existing Terminal 2 and the construction of a Cargo Mega Terminal, which will be built in phases and completed by 2018.

The new Terminal 3 will include 28 departure gates, 64 parking bays, 180 check-in counters and new first and business class lounges for Emirates Airline. Located beneath the apron and taxiway area, the new terminal building is highly innovative and allows for simplified, easy passenger flow, while the design will help reduce walking distances. Electric buses will connect the two new concourses, both of which will have a hotel property and duty free areas as well as facilities to handle the soon-to-be-introduced Airbus A 380 Super Jumbo.

As in previous years, DCA, Dubai, will be present at the Airport Build & Supply Exhibition, while each exhibitor at the show will be able to take advantage of private, pre-arranged meetings with relevant project managers, engineers or architects involved in Dubai International Airport’s massive expansion project.

The Departments of Civil Aviation of Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah as well as Qatar Airways have all booked stands at the event this year. Official delegations representing civil aviation authorities from countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa are also expected.

Making its debut at the event this year is the French Airport & ATC Technology Trade Association (PROAVIA), which represents the interests of 40 major French manufacturers.

Also exhibiting at the event are five prominent PROAVIA members, including IER, a leading manufacturer of terminals, printing and controlling systems for the air, rail and sea transportation industries. IER will launch a revolutionary range of ATB printers and readers incorporating the industry’s newest buzzword - radio frequency identification technology (RFID). The wireless, RFID-enabled devices can make baggage handling quicker and more efficient, thus helping reduce baggage loss.

Other PROAVIA members exhibiting at the Airport Build & Supply Exhibition include France’s leading airport consultant Aeroports de Paris, manufacturer of airport luggage carts Caddie Ateliers Reunis, baggage handling systems manufacturer Alstef Automation and airfield and public lighting manufacturer Thorn.

The official opening of the event will take place on Monday at 11am at Airport Expo Dubai. Attendance is free for trade visitors.