The Airport Show 2025 opens tomorrow, May 6, at the Dubai World Trade Center with the participation of experts, aviation stakeholders, decision-makers, airport operators and other players of the airport industry, along with top-rung government officials.
The event is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, chairman of Dubai Airports, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group.
Over three days, the Middle East, Africa and South Asia’s (MEASA) largest airport industry B2B platform will draw over 6,000 attendees from more than 30 countries, to explore innovations and technologies that shape future airports including advances in enhancing the passenger experience, airport traffic management, airport carbon-reduction and sustainability, digitalization and Urban Air Mobility (UAM).
Show to serve MEASA region’s $1 trillion airport development market
The Airport Show 2025 aims to serve the $1 trillion airport development market in the MEASA region. Airports in the Middle East region will handle 1.1 billion passengers by 2040.
Africa is focusing on expanding existing hubs and building new airports to become a major aviation hub. According to CAPA-Center of Aviation, there are now 24 infrastructure projects at existing airports in Africa, with a value of $2.3 billion, or $96 million each on average.
In Ethiopia, a new airport is under construction to handle 60 million passengers annually by 2040, aiming to become the largest in Africa. In Senegal, Blaise Diagne International Airport is also under construction in two phases, with a final capacity of 10 million passengers per year. Meanwhile, Rwanda’s new $650 million Kigali Airport is under construction.
South Asia is also witnessing rapid expansion and modernization of airports, particularly in India. The world’s most populous country plans to build over 220 new airports by 2035. India’s airport sector is expected to attract about $12 billion in investments by 2030 for developing greenfield airports, expanding existing facilities and upgrading infrastructure at existing airports.
DWC’s $35 billion development in focus
“Dubai International (DXB) has retained its position as the world’s leading airport for international passengers for the 11th consecutive year, and traffic across both our airports continues to grow steadily. Our aviation sector, from airports and airlines to the wider infrastructure, is a key pillar of Dubai’s economic progress and global reach,” stated Sheikh Ahmed.
Special focus at the Airport Show 2025 will also be on the $35 billion development of Al Maktoum International Airport (AMIA-DWC), with a final a capacity of 260 million passengers upon completion. Saudi Arabia, targeting 300 million passengers by 2030, is also constructing the $50-billion mega hub in Riyadh.
These two giant projects take up almost 80 percent of spending on airport development across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
Airport Show 2025 to highlight sector’s growth opportunities
The Airport Show 2025 will see the attendance of more than 140 exhibitors from over 20 countries who will meet, network and do business with highly-qualified buyers from over 70 organizations from 30 countries.
Confirmed buyers are coming from airports, airlines, ground handlers and consultants from Armenia, Bahrain, Croatia, Djibouti, Egypt, Ghana, India, Iraq, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Turkey, Uganda and Uzbekistan.
The Airport Show 2025Â will also offer key stakeholders, policy makers and technical decision-makers an opportunity to network, exchange knowledge and gain insights, and discuss growth opportunities and challenges facing the aviation industry.
“We have made consistent investments to expand and upgrade our airports, strengthening Dubai’s role as a global gateway. Over the past two decades, Dubai has provided the ideal environment for the Airport Show to grow into a prominent industry platform, a reflection of the city’s broader role in shaping the future of global aviation. With the planned expansion of Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC), we are now setting the stage for a new era of global benchmarks in airport development,” added Sheikh Ahmed.
On its sidelines of the Airport Show 2025, there will be two conferences: The Global Airport Leaders’ Forum and Women in Aviation Middle East Conference, with 30+ sessions and 70+ aviation leaders and expert speakers.
Airport Show 2025 will also deliver an enhanced experience with the launch of exciting new features, including the GSE Zone, Airport Tech Pavilion and Airport Design Hub.
