‘Airport Leaders Summit’ to Convene on Sidelines of Airport Show 2011

Summit Agenda to Focus on Security, Sustainable Expansion and Industry-specific Economic Concerns

Dubai-UAE:  27 April, 2011 – REED Exhibitions Middle East, one of the leading organisers of trade and consumer exhibitions, today announced the ‘Airport Leaders Summit’ featuring key industry leaders will be held concurrently with Airport Show 2011, a leading international event dedicated to airports and the allied industry.

Organised under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates airline and Group, Airport Show 2011 will be held from 31 May – 2 June at the Airport Expo in Dubai.

The ‘Airport Leaders Summit’ will run from 31 May – 1 June and focus on security, sustainable expansion and current economic concerns. The event will offer an unparalleled opportunity to interact with an elite group of decision-makers from governments and businesses worldwide.

The summit will bring together government authorities, investors, regulators and developers, as well as technology and service providers to discuss, share expertise, exchange ideas, find solutions and formulate strategies that support the exponential growth of the region’s airport industry. It will aim to find long-term solutions to strategic issues the industry faces in the wake of the global economic uncertainty, rigid credit markets, high fuel prices and changing regulatory norms.

Mohamad Bader-Eddin, Show Director, REED Exhibitions-Middle East, said: “We are glad that the ‘Airport Leaders Summit’ is now considered a leading platform for discussing, planning and sharing solutions to key issues facing the industry. The event will bring together eminent industry leaders to examine issues including gaining greater financial viability under the economic downturn. Security and sustainable expansions are also accorded priority on the summit’s agenda and we hope to significantly contribute to the industry through drawing out crucial perspectives from thought leaders.”

Dr. Khalid Al Mazroui, General Manager, Fujairah International Airport; Mohamed Thamir, Vice-President Airport Operations, Bahrain Airport Company; Jihad Boueri, Vice-President, Solution Line, Middle East and North Africa, SITA; Xavier Oh, Senior Manager Environment and ICAO Liaison, Airports Council International, and Randy McGill, Director of Environmental Stewardship, Lester B. Pearson International Airport, Canada, are some of the global experts that will take the podium during the summit.

Among the issues that will be brought to the table during the summit will be security that has become a major concern for airports. It will explore ways to ensure safety whilst maintaining a streamlined and efficient travel experience for passengers. Technical solutions to enhance efficiencies by bringing in the next generation of ‘smart airports’ will also come under focus, while environment experts provide insights into improving measures for sustainable airport expansions.

 

Besides addressing global and regional issues, the Airport Leaders Summit will draw up creative solutions to help generate traffic and revenue for the airport businesses. Advice on using IT and other innovative technologies to derive maximum advantage in airport operations will additionally be shared.