The theme of the 25th Airport Show, “The Future of Innovation in Airports Begins Here,” reflects the commitment of airports worldwide to streamline their operations, enhance efficiency, and develop sustainable infrastructure.
The event is scheduled to take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from May 12 to 14, 2026, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group.
Over 140 global suppliers are expected to participate, attracting more than 7,000 visitors from over 30 countries, along with 120 key buyers.
He further remarked, “We are pleased to see Dubai playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of the global aviation sector and ushering in a new era of opportunities and excellence in air travel.
This exhibition will help advance our shared ambition of building smarter, safer, and more sustainable airports while enhancing the quality of services and facilities for both airlines and passengers.”
The exhibition aims to be a leading knowledge-sharing platform and networking event within the airport industry, focusing on the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. It will also host two concurrent conferences: the “Global Airport Leaders Forum” and the “Women in Aviation in the Middle East Conference.”
Maya Ismail, Event Director at RX Middle East, the event organizer, noted that over 90% of visitors emphasized the significance of their participation in the show and its crucial role in supporting and developing their businesses. We anticipate that the 25th iteration of the exhibition will mark a new milestone, showcasing exclusive presentations for the first time and fostering sustainable communication among key stakeholders in the aviation sector.
Innovative breakthroughs that shape the future of the aviation industry and set new standards for excellence will be on display.
According to CAPA data, there are currently 1,031 airport construction projects globally, valued at $766 billion, with the Asia-Pacific region leading growth in this sector starting from July 2025.
Global Airport Council forecasts indicate that the number of air travelers worldwide will reach approximately 17.7 billion annually by 2043.
The Middle East, Africa, and South Asia are poised to play a significant role in the expanding air travel landscape, investing massive resources into developing and expanding airport infrastructure while enhancing traveler experience.
It is expected that the region will see an estimated investment of around $151 billion in increasing airport capacity by 2040.
Airports are focusing on sustainability through innovative approaches in renewable energy, electric and autonomous vehicles, energy-efficient building designs, waste reduction, and the use of digital tools to improve operations, with the goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and minimizing the environmental impact of airports and air travel.
The Global Airport Council affirms that airports in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions are preparing for expansive development efforts, with a total investment of $240 billion allocated for upgrading existing facilities (infrastructure projects) and constructing new airports (green projects) between 2025 and 2035.