to its goal of becoming the world's fore-
6.6 per cent until 2016, making it the
programme. Oman has earmarked
most travel hub.
second-fastest growing aviation
US$6.1 billion over five years for avia-
Daniyal Qureshi, Director, Airport
market.
The capacity of the UAE's
tion projects, which include major
Show, GALF and TCE, said: "In 2013,
airports will be increased to handle
terminal developments at Muscat and
we have witnessed events that
250 million passengers by 2020. The
Salalah international airports, and
created unparalleled business oppor-
UAE's airports are investing up to
completion of four new regional
tunities for airport suppliers in the
US$50 billion in new and expansion
airports at Sohar, Ras al Hadd, Duqm
region - from the opening of Al
projects over the next 15 years.
and Adam. While eight percent of the
Maktoum International Airport to
Dubai alone is expected to invest over
US$6.1 billion is earmarked for the
passenger traffic and the multi-billion
US$8.1 billion in new infrastructure to
completion of the four regional
dollar aircraft purchases by regional
host Expo 2020. Dubai Airports has
airports, 92 per cent is allocated for the
carriers to the aviation-related boom
been preparing itself to double the
two primary airports in Muscat and
expected by the selection of Dubai for
emirate's passenger handling capac-
Salalah.
hosting Expo 2020."
ity to 200 million passengers a year by
Also being expanded and upgraded
He added: "The Airport Show and its
2045, up from the current target of 100
are Jordan's Queen Alia International
co-located events, GALF and TCE,
million a year by 2020.
Airport (US$675 million), Baghdad
provide an ideal opportunity for global
Dubai International Airport would hit
International Airport (US$60 million),
companies to meet thousands of
capacity in 2018 at around 90 million
and Bahrain International Airport
regional buyers and also be part of the
passengers. A fourth concourse is
(US$53 million). In Egypt, Cairo
business platform that has on board
under construction, after the opening
International Airport is in for a US$436
global industry leaders like LG,
of the Airbus A380-dedicated
million expansion along with Borg El
Siemens, Honeywell, ALEC, ADPi,
Concourse A brought the capacity of
Arab Airport in Alexandria (US$97
Dar Al Handasah, Smiths Detection,
the world's second busiest interna-
million).
Cofely Besix and Safegate."
tional airport to up to 75 million. Dubai
A number of countries elsewhere in
Investments in airport expansion and
Airports is undergoing an US$7.8
the Middle East, North Africa and
development have remained stronger
billion expansion programme. Dubai is
Maghreb are also undergoing airport
across the Middle East, especially in
already investing US$33 billion in
expansion
and
modernization
the six-nation Gulf Cooperation
development at Dubai World Central,
programmes.
Council (GCC), as regional airports
which is located in the vicinity of the
India has envisaged an investment of
work their way to handle 400 million
Expo 2020 venue. Next door, Abu
US$12.1 billion in the airports sector
passengers by 2020.
Dhabi is building a new US$3 billion
during the 12th five-year plan period,
Their remarkable aspiration of becom-
international airport terminal.
of which US$9.3 billion is expected to
ing the iconic travel hubs has thrown
Doha's new multi-phase US$15 billion
come from the private sector for
up immense business opportunities
Hamad International Airport is due to
construction of new airports, expan-
for the global aviation industry with the
start operations soon. Saudi Arabia
sion and modernization of existing
resource-rich, vision-driven regional
currently has 34 airport-related
airports and development of low cost
airports eagerly building up top-
projects being implemented at a total
airports. The plan includes increasing
quality, highly-efficient sustainable
cost of about US$666 million, in addi-
the number of airports to 250 by 2030
airports infrastructure to meet the
tion to the development of new
to cater to growing leisure and busi-
phenomenal future requirements of
airports for US$10.66 billion until
ness travels. The decision of moderni-
passenger and cargo movements.
2030.
sation and development of 50 new
The US$400 million investment at
airports in Tier-II and III cities is
Regional Airport Expansion
Riyadh Airport is to be completed
another significant step.
According to IATA's Regional
within the next 18 months, while
For more information, please visit
Outlook, the Middle East is expected
Kuwait International Airport is being
www.theairportshow.com
to have the third fastest growth rate at
developed under a US$6 billion
42
Issue 72 March 2014
2014
72

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