By IANS
Dubai : The Gulf nations lead airport development in the Middle East, South Asia and Africa, with the value of upcoming projects and expansions reaching a new high of over $68 billion.
The pattern of regional airport expansion, fuelled by strong economic growth and increased passenger traffic, is highlighted in research conducted by Streamline Marketing Group, organisers of the Airport Show that takes place at Airport Expo Dubai from June 2 to 4, reported the Emirates News Agency WAM.
The Gulf countries account for $43 billion of this growth, with $21 billion worth of development now underway in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where Dubai’s annual airport industry exhibition is set to become the largest in the world in 2008.
Heading the list at $10 billion is the new Al Maktoum International Airport at Jebel Ali near here, which is set to become the world’s largest airport with the potential of handling 120 million passengers annually, followed by the development of Abu Dhabi International Airport at a cost of $6.8 billion and Qatar’s $5.5 billion New Doha International Airport.
Other major developments include Saudi Arabia’s King Abdul Aziz, Madinah and Tabuk airports at a total cost of $11.3 billion, along with the modernisation of smaller airports in India at $4 billion, and further projects worth $3.5 billion and $2 billion, respectively, in Libya and Iraq.
“The Gulf region alone now has airport developments and expansions worth in excess of $43 billion under way,” said Nick Webb, director of Streamline Marketing Group.
“This is reflected in the continuing growth of the Airport Show, which will be the largest airport construction, operations, technology and services show to be staged anywhere in the world this year.”
Webb said exhibition sales are currently up 51 percent compared with last year, and the 2008 event is expected to feature a record line-up of more than 550 exhibitors taking up more than 17,000 sq metres of exhibition space, with 12 national pavilions representing countries including Britain, Germany, France, Singapore, China, Australia and New Zealand.
“The exhibition presents an outstanding opportunity for airport contractors and suppliers looking to capitalise on the regional airport boom,” Webb said.