(MENAFN - Khaleej Times) The 11th edition of the Airport Show 2011, organised by REED Exhibitions Middle East, concluded on Thursday with additional announcements about huge investments towards developing airports with the latest technology and advanced solutions.
The Dubai Airports has announced plans to invest Dh22 billion towards expansion of Dubai and Al Maktoum Airport by 2020.
Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman of Dubai World Central had mentioned on the sidelines of the exhibition that the new expansion plans will increase the capacity of the Dubai Airport to 90 million passengers annually.
The number will increase from the current 60 million upon the completion of all expansion designs that comprise the construction of the Concourse 4, the expansion of Terminal 2 at Dubai airport, and the improvement of services at Dubai Airport. Zaffin had also mentioned that Dh4 billion will be invested in the development of the aviation city and the residential city at Al Maktoum Airport at the Dubai World Central.
Engineer Mohamed Ahmed Abed, Director General of King Abdulaziz International Airport, and General Supervisor of the new airport project, with a total investment cost of approximately Dh27 billion said: "Our participation at the Airport Show 2011 as a sponsor provided great business opportunities. This year's Airport Show witnessed participants from across the world and this indicates the establishment of this exhibition as an international event. The event brings together large number of veterans in the airport industry around the world and undoubtedly, this platform provides great opportunity for all participants to exchange ideas and keep abreast to latest developments in modern airports."
Vikram Sodha, Project Director at the Civil Aviation Authority of Pakistan said, "This is our fourth consecutive participation at the Airport Show. This year, the Civil Aviation Authority of Pakistan utilised this platform to meet with suppliers who offer energy efficient, environment and user friendly equipment. On-going discussions have been taken place with other exhibitors such as Siemens, Cavotec, DBA and ADPi on possibilities for expanding cooperation in projects to develop the Benazir Bhutto Airport in Pakistan."
Jacob Avis, Electronic Engineer and IT Manager at Ras Al Khaimah International Airport said: "We have already announced a 10 year development plan at Ras Al Khaimah International Airport worth Dh2.5 billion. We have benefited from our participation at the Airport Show 2011 greatly by conducting numerous discussions and conversations with the exhibitors participating in the exhibition and especially suppliers of baggage handling material, automated weather observation systems, and general IT solutions for Airport Operations."
