Dubai: Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, who holds several key positions including Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Dubai Airports, and Emirates Airline and Group, officially opened the 23rd Airport Show at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).
The premier yearly exhibition focused on the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) opened its doors amid the most optimistic predictions for the aviation industry worldwide, and the Middle East specifically. Prospects for an all-time high in passenger volume, full recovery, and massive airport expansions all served to solidify Dubai’s position as the world’s premier hub for civil aviation.
Opening the Show, Sheikh Ahmed said, “Airport Show has evolved into a prominent B2B platform and a driving force for the airport industry to source their requirements, learn about fast-changing business dynamics and emerging trends and disruptive technologies. Every major airport is aiming to go big – in terms of growth targets, investments and innovations. This event will provide airport leaders a unique opportunity to delve into the latest advancements in airport sustainability, digitalization, and urban air mobility.”
The plans for building the largest airport terminal in the world were recently revealed by Dubai, which prompted the organization of this year’s Airport Show.
After construction is finished, the $35 billion Al Maktoum International Airport is expected to be five times larger than the existing DXB, with a capacity of 260 million passengers. Over the next few years, Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) will host all operations formerly housed at Dubai International Airport (DXB). In ten years, DXB’s activities will be entirely absorbed by a new AED 128 billion passenger terminal at Dubai World Central, which would increase passenger capacity to 260 million yearly. There will be 400 airplane gates and five parallel runways.
The results of Emirates, the largest long-haul airline in the world, provide insight into the future growth prospects of the aviation industry. The company ended its fiscal year on March 31 with a record annual profit of $4.7 billion, up 63 percent from $2.72 billion the year before.