Leading aviation executives at the Future Airports Congress, to be held at the 8th Airport Show 2008 at the Airport Expo Dubai from 2-4 June, 2008 will hear how the world’s largest airport taking shape within Dubai World Central (DWC) - the 140 square kilometre urban land development - will become the world’s leading aviation model.

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman, Dubai City of Aviation Corporation – Dubai World Central, Government of Dubai will open the congress with a keynote address debating the challenges facing the world’s future airports.

“Considered a guru of the aviation industry, Sheikh Ahmed’s thoughts on how future airports will evolve is key to the entire discussion to follow during the two-day event,” said Khalifa Al Zaffin, DWC’s Executive Chairman, who is also one of the keynote speakers at the Congress.

“As part of Dubai’s US$82 billion investment in aviation infrastructure projects, the DWC-Al Maktoum International Airport within the mammoth US$33 billion Dubai World Central is Dubai’s key aviation infrastructure development.

“The project will not only impact future airports around the world but also regional  economic development, customer service and operations, environment, financing methods, airspace management, safety and security, infrastructure, cargo and air logistics, low cost airports and terminals.”

The ‘Future Airports’ conference will serve as a meeting point for all key aviation officials and partners to discuss and deliberate on issues related to building, managing and sustaining future airports including mega airports, aerotropolis, airport cities like DWC, hubs and low cost terminals.

“Already recognized as one of the world’s best examples of urban planning, global investors and major industry players will have a chance to see first-hand what the DWC-Al Maktoum International Airport has to offer to international and regional businesses,” said Al Zaffin.

Attracting the best within the aviation industry, Airport Show Dubai sets the stage for DWC to exhibit the near-operational project to airport equipment manufacturers, operators, technology and ground support equipment manufacturers, and Air Traffic Management and Control Systems providers. Dubai World Central is a supporter of the Airport Show 2008.

With billions of dollars already invested in the aviation industry across the Middle East, the region represents one of the fastest growing aviation markets in the world, alongside Africa and the Indian Subcontinent.

“DWC’s appeal to both regional and international investors is the promise of an unchallenged transportation hub catering to some two billion people throughout the Middle East, Indian Sub-continent, Africa and the CIS,” explained Al Zaffin.

“Al Maktoum International airport will only help increase international investment in one of the Middle East’s fastest growing sectors.

“The prospect of a world-leading centre for technology manufacturing and technology education in DWC Aviation City – Dubai World Central’s complete aviation cluster - allows the project to become a self-sustaining global aviation hub unlike any other in the world,” continued Al Zaffin.

DWC’s phase one development is expected to be complete by 2009.