The Airports Council International (ACI), a highly influential organisation in the global airport business, is putting its weight behind next month’s Airport Show in Dubai, which will be the industry’s biggest event in the world this year.

The event is being organised by Streamline Marketing Group from June 2 to 4 in Dubai.

Spearheading ACI’s presence at the Airport Show 2008, Andreas Schimm, the  organisation’s director, economics and programme development, will be the keynote speaker during the Future Airports Conference which is being launched as part of the event.

The new conference, one of four being staged alongside the exhibition, will analyse issues key to the future of the regional airport industry, at a time when projects and expansions valued at over $68 billion are now under way in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, with the Gulf countries accounting for $43 billion of this growth.

One of the major concerns has been highlighted by recent research showing that 18 per cent of fuel is wasted each year through airport infrastructure and operational inefficiencies, amounting to 120 million tonnes of carbon dioxide worldwide.

“ACI is pleased to endorse this year’s Airport Show, as it is conducive with our aim of uniting important airport industry and government representatives,” said Schimm. “With the enormous amount of airport development in this region, it is increasingly important to discuss common challenges and to work together to present solutions for the future airports.”

ACI’s 580 members operate more than 1647 airports in 175 countries and territories, and handled 4.4 billion passengers, 84.5 million metric tones of freight and 73 million aircraft movements in 2006.

Director, ACI Traffic Forecast Advisory Services, Catherine Harmel-Tourneur will present the organisation’s industry forecast during the Air Traffic Control conference, one of the other specialist forums at the Airport Show.

“ACI’s support demonstrates the Airport Show’s commitment to partnering with the world’s leading aviation organisations and authorities, and providing an essential forum for aviation representatives to discuss the future of the aviation industry in this region,” said director of Streamline Marketing Group Nick Webb.

Participating at the event for the first time, ACI, which provides a platform for airline associations, governments and regulators to liaise on important industry issues, was eager to join a major forum used by aviation professionals to discuss current and future projects, innovations and topical industry issues.
Now in it’s eighth year, the Airport Show is held under the patronage of president of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and chairman of Dubai Airports Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum. – TradeArabia News Service