The Middle East will form a central link in the world’s first network of regional airports in a plan to open up new routes, avoid flight delays and at the same time generate new business and jobs. Known as PlaneStation, the project is expected to see 30 airports, including as many as 11 in the Middle East, becoming fully operational and handling millions of passengers by 2007.
The concept is to develop former military airports and other under-performing facilities, and proposed locations include two each in Egypt, and Iran, as well as others in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Oman, Bahrain and Morocco.
Also joining the PlaneStation network will be a brand new international airport – the United Arab Emirates (UAE)’ fourth – at Ajman, where work begins next March as part of a proposed major development designed to maximize the emirate’s tourist and commercial potential.
The PlaneStation project has come under the spotlight at the Airport Build & Supply Exhibition, organized by Streamline Marketing and taking place this week at Airport Expo Dubai.
Reaching its conclusion Wednesday night, the third Airport Airport Build & Supply Exhibition is commissioned by the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation. The event is spotlighting the Government of Dubai’s development plan to make Dubai International Airport one of the world’s leading aviation hubs, at a time when other major airport developments are under way in Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Bahrain, Libya, Kuwait, Tunisia, Algeria, Oman, Morocco, Ajman, Syria, Sharjah and Al-Ain.
Throughout the event, airport suppliers from across the Middle East and around the world are having private meetings with civil aviation representatives to discuss Dubai International Airport's $ 4.1 billion expansion, as well as some of the region’s other major airport developments.
The exhibitor line-up covers a huge range of specialized airport equipment and services, including escalators, elevators, and moving walkways, security and lighting systems, telecommunications and automated baggage systems, fixtures and fittings, signage and graphics, first and business class lounges, aircraft hangers and fire stations. — (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
