Dubai airshow participants optimistic about post-Covid recovery

• Technologies, solutions that can help the aviation sector to overcome the Covid-19 crisis showcased

• Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, calls Covid-19 setback temporary

The 20th edition of the Airport Show in Dubai has ended on a positive note with key participants from the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA) expressing optimism about regaining the tempo of growth and expansion lost due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The three-day event, which took place in physical and digital format, was the first international event of this nature since the Covid-19 outbreak. 

It showcased unique solutions and the latest technologies that can help the aviation industry overcome the COVID-19 crisis. The show presented a variety of solutions defined by a strong focus on contactless technologies, Artificial Intelligence, biometrics, electronic bag tags and offsite processing. 

New technologies and clean mobility solutions ensuring hygiene and safety of passengers were also showcased prominently.

The Airport Show reflected the resilience of the important players in the Middle East aviation sector who also demonstrated a willingness to adapt to the changing travel pattern and adopt new technologies to come up to the passengers’ expectations in the post-COVID-19 world.

 Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the president of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, said the aviation industry had a history of successfully bouncing back from crises and the COVID-19 pandemic was no different. 

“The setback is temporary and it will again be on the tracks of transformation. As in the past, Dubai will in the future continue to lead in the industry’s resurgence through collaborations and cooperation,” he said.

Daniyal Qureshi, Group Exhibition Director at Reed Exhibitions Middle East, which organizes the trend-setting trade show, said that the exhibitors had significant meetings with representatives of various organizations from the UAE, other GCC countries as well as from the Middle East region. 

He said, “It was challenging to organize the show at such a critical juncture when the aviation industry has just started to show signs of recovery. But several national and international companies as well as regional buyers showed confidence and came in significantly big number considering the travel restrictions around the globe.”

The show saw the participation of more than 95 exhibitors from 21 countries, 100-plus Hosted Buyers from over 20 countries and 36 exhibitors at five country pavilions by Switzerland, Germany, Italy, France and the UK.

“Everyone who came to the show was outstandingly happy to meet each other again. The exhibitors got good business leads that may soon turn into agreements,” said Qureshi.

Rocco Marcuccio, Managing Advisor of Air Tech Italy (ATI), the leading Trade Association representing Italian companies specialized in supplying products, technologies and services for airports and air-traffic control, said the participating companies were overwhelmed by the response received from regional aviation players during the show, which reflects the region’s eagerness to improve the situation.