Business | Aviation
Attendance at airport show breaks record
The Dubai Airport Show, believed to be the largest airport construction, operations, technology and services exhibition in the region, ended on Wednesday at the Dubai Airport Expo.
- By Gureni Lukwaro, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:08 June 5, 2008
Dubai: The Dubai Airport Show, believed to be the largest airport construction, operations, technology and services exhibition in the region, ended on Wednesday at the Dubai Airport Expo.
The show, which was officially opened on June 2 by Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Emirates Airline and Group, attracted a record 600 suppliers from 40 countries, and over 100 civil aviation authorities and airports.
Even though the show saw a record attendance of exhibitors compared to previous years, many exhibitors were disappointed by the public interest in the show, which affected its business side.
A representative of London-based Airport Technologies, which provides advertising space for suppliers, said the show was very quiet and did not meet their expectations. He said the traffic was low and the few people they saw were local representatives who could not make any decisions.
Quality visitors
On the other hand, a representative of British company QinetiQ said the show was not well attended, but the few people who came to their booth were quality visitors and they have made good contacts, which makes up for the low traffic.
Lionel Bernard-Peyre, product manager for egis-avia, a French engineering and consultancy company for air transport systems concurred, but added the show needs to be well communicated and advertised more in order to attract more visitors, which could generate more business for show participants.
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