The 25th edition of Dubai Airport Show has concluded at Dubai World Trade Centre, with exhibitors and speakers pointing to artificial intelligence, biometrics, digital twins and integrated data platforms as the technologies reshaping airports across the region.
Opened on October 12 by H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Border Security Council, the three-day event drew more than 3,000 visitors and over 150 exhibitors from more than 30 countries. Discussions centred on airport development, digital transformation, aviation security and sustainability, as major expansion projects continue across the region.
At the Global Airport Leaders’ Forum, Eng. Khalifa S Ali Zaffin, Executive Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation and Dubai South, said Dubai’s ambition to build the world’s largest airport is about passenger experience as much as size. Majed Al Joker, Chief Operating Officer of Dubai Airports, named collaboration, operational agility and innovation as key priorities for the sector.
Talal Al Hammadi of Dubai Air Navigation Services told the Air Traffic Control Forum that aviation’s biggest challenge is not the technology itself but the different speeds at which the industry moves.
The Business Connect programme brought together exhibitors, 150 hosted buyers and industry decision-makers for pre-arranged meetings. Several memorandums of understanding were signed, including agreements between Dubai Airports and Vanderlande and between Fujairah International Airport and Italy’s ENAV Group. Organiser RX also signed three agreements with dans, dnata and DAEP.
The Women in Aviation Middle East Conference and Awards ran alongside the show, with Chapter President Mervat Sultan urging the industry to show the next generation that its commitments are real.
May Ismail, Event Manager at RX Middle East, said preparations for next year’s edition have already begun, with broader participation expected.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
