• Home
• News Article

Regional airport growth continues to soar with $60 Billion developments on horizon

Rapid growth and increasing demand for airport supplies leads to expansion of Airport Show in 2008
Dubai, UAE, 8 November, 2007: Airport development in the Middle East, Africa and the Indian subcontinent shows no sign of slowing with an estimated US$60 billion in planned and ongoing projects. Fueled by strong economic growth and increased passenger traffic, the region is one of the fastest growing aviation markets in the world.

Major projects currently underway in the Gulf include the US$8.2 billion Dubai World International Airport at Jebel Ali, the US$ 6.8 billion expansion of Abu Dhabi International Airport , the US$ 5.5 billion New Doha International Airport in Qatar and the US$11.3 billion upgrade of King Abdul Aziz, Madinah and Tabuk airports in Saudi Arabia.

In Africa, US$3 billion has been earmarked to expand Libya's Tripoli International Airport and build five new airports, US$850 million will be spent on airport projects in Egypt including Cairo International Airport and US$725 million on Tambo and Johannesburg International Airports and other regional developments in South Africa.

To match the continuing demand for airport supplies, the Airport Show has expanded its exhibition programme and preparations are well underway for its return to the Airport Expo Dubai in 2008. Next year's show is expected to attract 750 of the world's leading airport and aviation suppliers, making it one of the largest airport construction, operations, technology and services shows in the world.

"In the Middle East alone, airport developments and expansions are worth in excess of US$37 billion," said Nick Webb, Director of Streamline Marketing Group, organisers of the Airport Show. "An outstanding opportunity exists for airport suppliers and contractors to capitalise on this growth and meet with various developers across the region at the 2008 Airport Show."

Now in its 8^th year, the annual event is held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation and chairman of Emirates Group. It attracts a targeted audience of regional Civil Aviation departments, government officials, VIPs, consultants and contractors behind many of the region's airport developments, in addition to ground handlers, security personnel and airline representatives.

The show has become a major forum for the selection and pre-qualification of suppliers for airport development schemes. In 2008, the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation will use the event to source suppliers for the US$33 billion Dubai World Central Project and amongst other key developments.

Three new exhibition areas - air traffic control, ground handling and aviation security will have a dedicated forum at next year's show and two new conferences - baggage handling and emergency planning, will make their debut. The event will also host 12 national pavilions, representing countries such as Germany, France, UK, Canada, China, Singapore, India, Australia and Spain.

The expanded show will cover over 17,000sq.m of exhibition space which is a 35 percent increase on the previous year, and 30 percent more exhibition space has already been sold compared to this time last year.

Important airport developments in the Middle East include:

• Abu Dhabi International Airport - US$6.8 billion
• Bahrain International Airport - US$815 million
• Dubai World Central International Airport (Jebel Ali) - US$8.2 billion
• Kuwait International Airport - US$2.1 billion
• New Doha International Airport (NDIA), Qatar - US$5.5 billion
• Saudi Arabia (King Abdul Aziz, Madinah and Tabuk Airports) - US$11.3 billion
• Baghdad International Airport, Iraq - $US$2 billion
• Queen Alia International Airport, Jordan - US$600 million

South Asia:

• Airports Authority of India's modernisation of smaller airports in India - US$4 billion
• Bandaranaike International Airport, Sri Lanka - US$250 million
• Multan Airport, Pakistan - US$250 million
• Hyderabad International Airport Limited. (HIAL), India - US$496 million
• Kolkata & Chennai airport expansions, India - US$1.07 billion
• New Islamabad International Airport (NIIA), Pakistan - US$400 million
• Gawadar Airport, Pakistan - US$260 million
• Dehli International Airport, India - US$1 billion

Africa:

• Egypt ( Cairo International Airport and other airports) - US$850 million
• Libya (Tripoli International Airport, plus 5 new airports) - US$3 billion
• Morocco ( Mohammed V International & Benslimane Airports - US$565 million
• South Africa (Tambo and Johannesburg International Airports and other regional development) - US$725 million
• New Khartoum International Airport, Sudan - US$530 million
• Tunisia - ( Enfidha and Monastir Airports ) - US$532 million

-Ends-

For further press information please contact:
Danielle Fanning / Anya Leonard
Total Communications
Tel: + 971 4 336 9909
Fax: + 971 4 336 9905
Email: danielle@totalcompr.ae / anya@totalcompr.ae

© Press Release 2007