The implementation of major new airport developments in the Middle East, North Africa and India (Mena) and India will top the agenda at a two-day forum dedicated to the airport industry in the region.

The ‘Future Airports’ conference will take place from May 19 to 20 at Dubai Airport Expo alongside the Airport Show exhibition, which runs from May 19 to 21 at the same venue.

Airport Show is organised by Reed Exhibitions Middle East and supported by leading aviation authorities and trade bodies including Dubai Airports, Abu Dhabi Airports Company, British Aviation Group, British Airport Services & Equipment Association, German Airport Technology & Equipment (Gate), UBIFRANCE (the French Agency for international business development) and Danish Airport Group.

Ara Fernezian, group exhibition director, Reed Exhibitions ME, said an outstanding line-up of speakers from across the industry will discuss key issues at the forum.

They include Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports; Rudy Vercelli, CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports Company (Adac); Mustafa Sani Sener, president and CEO of TAV Airport Holdings; Jean-Marie Chevallier, chairman and CEO of Aéroports de Paris Management; and Jihad Boueri, regional director, Applications Services, Middle East & Turkey, Sita.

'In recent years, both the conference and exhibition at Airport Show have proved an exceptional networking and business opportunity, and provided valuable insights on the airport industry. Visitors and participants alike will find the programme beneficial, at a time when the economy is creating new challenges for the travel industry,” he remarked.

The first day will concentrate on airport growth with Griffiths speaking on the outlook for airport development in Dubai, highlighting the impact of global economic pressures, regulatory issues and wider industry trends.

In his presentation, Rudy Vercelli, CEO, Abu Dhabi Airports Company will address airport expansion in Abu Dhabi and beyond, and Adac’s role in Abu Dhabi’s economic development.

Expanding on the role of airports as catalysts for economic development, Rachid M’saadi, secretary general, Office National Des Aéroports will examine the role of Morocco’s airport development programme in the growth of the local tourism industry.

Andreas Schimm, director Economics and Programme Development, Airports Council International (ACI), will consider how the airport industry should respond to the current economic downturn.

His presentation will address factors such as when growth will return, where and in which sectors, and what the industry must do to maintain expansion.

Bob Everest, vice president, Flight Operations Support, Emirates, will offer ‘an airline’s perspective on airport growth’, elaborating on what airlines need from their airport partners and how the two entities can co-operate to ensure future growth is delivered.

The second day will look at future airport development. Experts from the International Air Transport Association and Unique (formerly Zurich Airport Authority) will discuss the environmental challenges of airport design and operation, and some of the strategies that can help airport businesses.

Other topics at the conference will include the role of technology in improving the transit of passengers through airports, solutions that enhance the passenger experience, new approaches to security, and managing security with airport growth.

The conference will complement the Airport Show exhibition, which is one of the largest in the world and is focusing on airport construction, technology and services.

This year’s event will allow for quality networking with the region’s top civil aviation officials and airport companies, as well as a raft of consultants and contractors from across the world.-TradeArabia News Service