AIRPORT SHOW TAKES OFF WITH BIG INTERNATIONAL BID FOR MIDDLE EAST AVIATION BUSINESS

Suppliers hold high hopes for involvement in $1.4 billion next phase of Dubai airport development, other major regional projects


The new exhibition forming a key element in the decision-making process for the $1.4 billion next phase of development at Dubai International Airport, opens tomorrow, with an international line-up of 92 companies from 14 countries bidding for major business gains in the Middle East’s lucrative civil aviation business.



Taking place at Airport Expo Dubai, the three-day Airport Build & Supply Exhibition is being held under the patronage of H.H.Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of the Government of Dubai’s Department of Civil Aviation (DCA), and chairman of Emirates, the official airline for the exhibition.



Commissioned by the DCA, and organised by Streamline Marketing, the event becomes a lucrative new showcase for suppliers, including Norwegian-based Norgate AS, which is introducing a series of passenger boarding bridges for the planned new concourse building at Dubai International Airport, including a two level bridge designed for the Airbus A380.



Looking to establish a manufacturing plant for worldwide production at Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone, and set up a regional office for the Middle and Far East, Africa, Pacific and South Europe, the company is targeting Jeddah, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Egypt for future business.



Joanne Evans, director of Streamline Marketing, said: “We have received a very encouraging response from top quality suppliers for whom the exhibition is a gateway towards major business opportunities the Middle East.”



“In addition to Dubai, other new Middle East airport projects are under way, or planned, in Algiers, Cairo, Hurghada, and Sharm El Sheikh, in Egypt, Libya, Seeb and Salalah in Oman, Doha, Jeddah, Tunisia, Abu Dhabi, Iran, and Damascus, and many of these airport authorities will be represented in Dubai this week.”



Another potential supplier of passenger boarding bridges for Dubai International Airport, Spanish company, TEAM, will use the exhibition to launch a new boarding bridge for the Airbus A380.



Abu Dhabi-based Quickseal Rascor Partnership, sponsored by Nama Development Enterprises, will unveil a new waterproof system for underground structures, as the company looks to develop new business leads in the Middle East and Far East.



Swiss-based SITA, the world’s leading provider of global information and telecommunication solutions to the air transport industry, is aiming to extend its affiliation with Dubai Civil Aviation for Dubai Airport’s second phase of development. The company has been closely involved with the airport expansion programme since winning a two-year, $US16 million contract to oversee the implementation of the communications and IT infrastructure at the airport.



Malaysian systems integration company, XYBASE, which will use the exhibition to introduce its expertise in e-government and Enterprise Wide computing solutions, anticipates a $US 20 million turnover in the Middle East over the next two years. XYBASE will launch a new online open market place exchange designed to operate a comprehensive e-business platform for the airport community, including operators, suppliers, service providers, retailers and travellers.



German-based GFI, specialists in electrical installations and fire protection, is also aiming to break into the Middle East market, filling the gap between its operations in Greece and India, with the exhibition also providing a platform for the launch of its passive fire protection concept.