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Dubai's Airport Show has become the world's largest as airport development in the Middle East region hits a new high.

Airport development in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia has reached a new high, with projects and expansions across the region now valued at over US$68 billion.

The Gulf countries account for $43 billion of this growth, with $21 billion worth of development now underway in the UAE, where Dubai's annual airport industry exhibition is set to become the largest in the world in 2008.

The pattern of regional airport expansion, fuelled by strong economic growth and increased passenger traffic, is highlighted at the Airport Show which takes place at Airport Expo Dubai from 2nd - 4th June 2008.

The figures highlight a massive phase of airport construction and expansion through the Gulf countries, in addition to Jordan, Iraq, India, Sri Lanka and across the African continent.

Heading the list at $10 billion is the new Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai - set to become the largest airport in the world and handle 120 million passengers annually - followed by the development of Abu Dhabi International Airport at $6.8 billion and Qatar's $5.5 billion New Doha International Airport.

Other major developments include Saudi Arabia's King Abdulaziz, Madinah and Tabuk airports at a total cost of $11.3 billion, along with the modernisation of smaller airports in India at $4 billion, and further projects worth $3.5 billion and $2 billion respectively in Libya and Baghdad.

"The Gulf region alone now has airport developments and expansions worth in excess of $43 billion under way," said Nick Webb, director of Streamline Marketing Group, organiser of the Airport Show.

"This is reflected in the continuing growth of the Airport Show, which will be the largest airport construction, operations, technology and services show to be staged anywhere in the world this year."

Webb states that exhibition sales are currently up 51% compared with last year, and the 2008 event is expected to feature a line-up of more than 550 exhibitors, with 12 national pavilions representing countries including the UK, Germany, France, Singapore, China, Australia and New Zealand.

Now in its eighth year, the Airport Show is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and chairman of Dubai Airports.

The event will attract an audience of civil aviation departments, government officials, consultants and contractors behind many of the region's airport developments as well as ground handlers, security personnel and airline representatives.

New this year will be a dedicated section for air traffic control, ground handling and aviation security in the Middle East, plus the launch of the Airport Show conference.

The conference, entitled Future Airports, will discuss the environmental issues surrounding major airport expansion and other key topics related to future airports.

Research shows that 18% of fuel is wasted each year through airport infrastructure and operational inefficiencies, amounting to a staggering 120 million tonnes of carbon dioxide worldwide.

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