The Dubai World Trade Centre is set to host the 25th edition of the Airports Exhibition from May 12 to 14. Accompanying the exhibition will be several conferences, including the Global Airport Leaders Forum, the Middle East Airport Security Conference, the Air Traffic Management Forum, and the Women in Aviation – Middle East Conference. These events will showcase the latest technologies and methods for integrating them into airport operations to ensure safe travel.
The exhibition is expected to feature over 150 exhibitors from more than 30 countries, attracting over 7,000 visitors from more than 30 nations and accommodating 120 hosted buyers. The event is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group.
The Airports Exhibition presents a significant opportunity for exhibitors to network and engage with decision-makers in the aviation sector across the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. It also offers a platform for discussions on collaboration with CEOs of regional airports that are investing billions to develop and modernize their facilities, reinforcing their status as major global air transport hubs.
Additionally, the exhibition facilitates exclusive meetings with key decision-makers through its hosted buyer program, enabling exhibitors to connect with representatives from leading airports worldwide and explore potential contracts for their technologies and products.
Proactive Approach
According to Brigadier Engineer Marwan Sinan, Assistant Director General of the General Department of Airport Security, Dubai adopts a proactive strategy to enable safe and smooth travel by integrating advanced technologies that enhance the overall security system’s effectiveness and efficiency.
In the UAE, security agencies are continuously adopting new technologies for airport screening to identify and counter threats. The region has led the way in achieving a balance between high-level threat detection and ensuring an enhanced passenger security experience.
Mey Ismail, the exhibition director at RX Middle East, the organizing body of the Dubai Airports Exhibition, stated that the airport security sector greatly benefits from the emergence of advanced security technologies and monitoring systems, making security infrastructure and screening processes for passengers and cargo safer and more efficient.
Recent legislative updates are also shaping the implementation of this technology in several countries. The European Civil Aviation Conference and the Transportation Security Administration of the United States have collaborated with airports to test computed tomography (CT) devices as alternatives to traditional x-ray machines. Additionally, EU member states have announced a phased mandatory rollout of CT scanners in airports by 2026.
Artificial Intelligence
In the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia, airport security officials are also adopting CT scanners to enhance security levels. Airports are leveraging artificial intelligence to anticipate security demand.
They are creating virtual replicas of their operations to simulate security scenarios. According to market research, the airport security market is projected to surpass $38 billion by 2035.
The airport security market in the UAE is experiencing robust growth, with expectations to reach $3.2 billion by 2030, driven by increased passenger traffic, technological innovations, and substantial infrastructure investments. Airports are also investing in modular security structures that allow for gradual upgrades rather than one-time massive overhauls.
The Airports Council International noted that as threats evolve and dissatisfaction among travelers regarding queues and security processes grows, airport security must adapt to meet growth targets and align with changing customer expectations.