Airports in the Middle East are set to handle 1.1 billion passengers by 2040, more than double the 2019 figure of 405 million passengers. They will require around $151 billion investment in capacity expansion, said a report ahead of a key airports event.

Airport developers, officials, and suppliers from across the world will gather in Dubai in mid-May 2024 to participate in the world’s largest annual event dedicated to the global airports industry, the 23rd edition of the Airport Show.

Being held at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), more than 150 exhibitors from over 20 countries and 7,500 visitors from around 30 countries will attend the show. The Airport Show will have co-located events – ATC Forum, Airport Security Middle East, and the 11th edition of the Global Airport Leaders Forum (GALF).

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), Chairman of Dubai Airports, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, and Patron of Airport Show, said: “The business event will provide the industry professionals from Middle East, South Asia, and Africa region, the opportunity to see innovations in airport sustainability, digitalisation, and urban air mobility.”

Organised by RX, part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools, the show is supported by prominent players in the aviation industry, including the DCAA, Dubai Airports, Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP), and dnata.

 The Middle East region, with over 110 airports, is among the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world. According to a CAPA report, 425 major construction projects were on at existing airports worldwide, with $450 billion in investments. There were 225 new airport projects and more than 70 per cent of the investment was in Asia Pacific. There were 1,074 airport investors, of which 258 were airport operators, groups or consortiums.