H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Emirates Group, on Monday inaugurated the 17th Airport Show at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, DICEC, with over 300 companies from 50 countries participating in the three-day show.
It is expected to be attended by over 7,500 aviation industry professionals.
Accompanied by VIPs and senior government officials, Sheikh Ahmed toured the world’s second largest airport B2B event spread over 15,000 square metres in Zabeel Halls 4, 5 and 6, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, DICEC.
Sheikh Ahmed said, "The aviation industry expansion in the Middle East continues to surpass average global growth rates. Future projections are equally promising and are behind the ongoing and considerable investment in aircraft, technology and infrastructure. The Airport Show brings together solution providers from around the world giving them the opportunity to explore the latest trends and bring forward innovative products and services designed to support ongoing industry growth and service enhancements."
Sheikh Ahmed met with the exhibitors, who talked about their latest technology products and services being offered to the aviation sector. The stalls that Sheikh Ahmed visited included, emaratech, which described its latest baggage handling system being showcased at the Airport Show, General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, GDRFA, in Dubai, which is displaying the latest smart technologies used to enhance customer experience, General Authority of Civil Aviation, GACA, Saudi Arabia, who explained the latest facilities and expansion of airports in Saudi Arabia, Dubai Police, who described the latest training programme and security centres, Oman Airports Management Company, OAMC, which is showcasing their unique virtual reality applications, Huawei, displaying a range of smart solutions, including the smart modular data centre and aviation cloud solution, TAM Europe, Denmark Pavilion, Aaqius Switzerland, Nuctech Company and others.
H.H. Sheikh Ahmed also visited the World Travel Catering and Onboard Services Expo Middle East, WTCEME, co-located with the Airport Show, where he visited stands of Emirates Flight Catering, Pinar from Turkey, Unilever, Pearl’s, who launched a new beverage product at the show, and other exhibitors.
He also met with the representatives of Women in Aviation Middle East, which hosted its 2nd General Assembly on Monday at the Airport Show. In line with the vision of the UAE’s leadership to empower women and enhance their participation across all sectors, Airport Show is supporting "Arab Women in Aviation," which aims to bolster the participation of women in the Middle East's robust aviation sector.
Co-located with Airport Show, the 5th Global Airport Leaders’ Forum, GALF, will open tomorrow with more than 36 eminent aviation industry leaders and experts discussing the global airports outlook 2026, airport capacity, how airports can most effectively respond to the requirements of airlines, onboard retail, the latest technology trends and other highly relevant aviation industry issues.

Source: WAM