Ahmed bin Saeed opens 24th edition of Airport Show

DUBAI / WAM

H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, opened the 24th edition of Airport Show at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), which will run till 8th May 2025.
H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed toured the B2B exhibition pavilions accompanied by top aviation officials and industry stakeholders and engaged with various exhibitors and learning more about the latest technologies shaping the airport industry.
More than 6,000 trade visitors from 30 countries are attending the Middle East, Africa and South Asia’s (MEASA) largest airport industry B2B platform to explore innovations and technologies that shape future airports including advances in enhancing the passenger experience, airport traffic management, airport carbon-reduction and sustainability, digitalisation, and Urban Air Mobility (UAM).
The three-day dedicated airport industry platform welcomes participation by 140 exhibitors from 22 countries who will meet, network and do business with highly-qualified 150+ buyers from over 70 organisations from 30 countries.
This year’s Airport Show is opened in the wake of the Middle East and neighbouring regions experiencing a significant surge in airport expansion projects, driven by a robust recovery in global aviation and optimistic projections for passenger growth.
With expectations to handle approximately 1.1 billion passengers annually by 2040 — up from 405 million in 2019 — the Middle East is investing heavily in infrastructure to meet this demand.
H.H. Sheikh Ahmed remarked, “Dubai’s aviation sector is on a clear upward trajectory, driven by infrastructure expansion and the adoption of new technologies. As major contributors to our economy and global connectivity, both Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC) will continue to play a leading role in shaping the future of air travel through 2030s and beyond, delivering world-class performance and operational excellence. We remain firmly on our journey of progress, with many more milestones ahead in strengthening Dubai’s global reputation.
“Since 2001, the Airport Show has had a long-standing presence in Dubai, and I am confident that this 24th edition will further support the growth of the regional aviation industry. I wish the organisers and participants every success as we look ahead to a landmark Silver Jubilee edition in 2026.”
The exhibition highlights the most important global trends in the aviation industry, such as emission reduction technologies, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, predictive operations management, urban air mobility, and the launch of advanced platforms and solutions such as AEROWISE, powered by digital twin technology to proactively manage airports.
There are two conferences – Global Airport Leaders’ Forum, and Women in Aviation Middle East Conference – co-located with 30+ sessions and 70+ aviation leaders and expert speakers.
Being held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Airport Show is organised by RX, a global company that organises about 350 events across the world, to provide participants valuable insights into issues and technologies shaping the airports in the ever-evolving competitive global business landscape.
The Airport Show is designed to serve the US$1 trillion airport development market in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region.
Global air traffic is on strong growth tracks. In 2025, as per the ACI World, global passenger traffic will reach 9.9 billion while the ICAO projects global RPK to rise to 9.4 trillion. Global passenger traffic, according to an ACI World-ICAO Passenger Traffic Report, will exceed 12 billion by 2030.