UAE - The organiser of the Dubai-based Airport Show, Reed Exhibitions Middle East, claims to have seen a seven per cent increase in the number of exhibitors.
The 10th edition of the show, which is hosting 223 exhibitors this year compared to 210 in 2009, was opened by the president of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and chairman of Dubai Airports Dubai Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum.
"The number of high-profile airport officials attending the event has grown 41 per cent over last year while the number of hosted buyers has gone up 42 per cent,” says the group exhibition director at Reed Exhibitions Middle East, Ara Fernezian.
Thirty-four countries are taking part in the 10,508sqm event held at the Airport Expo Dubai on 25-27 April 2010. France, Germany, UK, Italy, Denmark, Switzerland and China have all taken extended space with national pavilions.
Femezian says that exhibitors are attracted to the potential regional airport development contracts on offer at the show. Airport developments include the $33bn Al Maktou International Airport and an expansion of King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah and Qatar with a similar investment in New Doha International Airport.
Oman is also set to invest in six new airports and Kuwait is due to spend more on its international airport.
