Dubai: H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, has inaugurated the 24th edition of the Airport Show at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). The event, which will conclude on 8th May 2025, brings together industry leaders and stakeholders to explore the latest advancements in airport technology.
According to Emirates News Agency, Sheikh Ahmed toured the exhibition pavilions, engaging with exhibitors to discuss innovations shaping the airport industry. The event attracts more than 6,000 trade visitors from 30 countries, highlighting its status as the largest B2B platform for the airport industry in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA). Participants are exploring new technologies aimed at enhancing passenger experience, airport traffic management, carbon reduction, digitalisation, and Urban Air Mobility (UAM).
The three-day event features 140 exhibitors from 22 countries, offering networking and business opportunities with over 150 qualified buyers from 70 organisations across 30 nations. The show coincides with a period of significant airport expansion in the Middle East, driven by global aviation recovery and optimistic passenger growth forecasts.
Sheikh Ahmed emphasized Dubai's commitment to advancing its aviation sector through infrastructure expansion and technology adoption, reinforcing the roles of Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International (DWC) in global air travel. He expressed confidence in the ongoing success of the Airport Show, anticipating a landmark Silver Jubilee edition in 2026.
The exhibition addresses key global trends in aviation, including emission reduction, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, predictive operations management, and urban air mobility. It also features advanced platforms like AEROWISE, which utilizes digital twin technology for proactive airport management.
Co-located with the Airport Show are the Global Airport Leaders' Forum and the Women in Aviation Middle East Conference, offering over 30 sessions and featuring more than 70 aviation leaders and expert speakers. Organized by RX under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed, the event aims to support the $1 trillion airport development market in the MEASA region.
As global air traffic continues to grow, with projections of 9.9 billion passengers by 2025 and over 12 billion by 2030 according to ACI World and ICAO reports, the Airport Show provides valuable insights into the issues and technologies defining the future of airports globally.