News DeskDubai, UAE – More than 150 international and regional companies will participate in the 25th edition of the Airport Show, scheduled to take place from May 12 to 14, 2026 at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), reinforcing the Middle East’s position as one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Airports and Emirates Airline and Group, the three-day B2B exhibition will bring together over 120 senior buyers from more than 50 airports and aviation authorities across 30 countries.
The show comes at a time when airports worldwide — particularly in the Middle East — are accelerating investments in automation, digital platforms, artificial intelligence (AI), biometrics and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions to manage rising passenger volumes and operational complexity.
Smart airport market on rapid growth path
According to industry forecasts, the global smart airport market is projected to reach US$24.3 billion by 2032, while Middle East investments in smart airport infrastructure are expected to exceed US$30 billion in the coming years. Meanwhile, the broader airport automation market is forecast to grow to US$85 billion by 2033.
Airports are increasingly evolving into multimodal mobility hubs, integrating real-time analytics, hyper-personalised passenger services and advanced security and baggage-handling systems. Industry technology provider SITA notes that the future success of airports depends heavily on the adoption of AI, machine learning, automation and biometric identification.
Deal-making and executive access
The Airport Show offers extensive deal-making and networking opportunities, with Middle East, North Africa and South Asia at the heart of discussions. According to ACI World, airports in the Middle East — one of the two fastest-growing aviation regions — are expected to invest US$240 billion between 2025 and 2035 in new airports and facility upgrades.
Through the event’s Hosted Buyers Programme, exhibitors will gain direct access to senior airport executives and government officials, enabling private meetings and negotiations on future technology procurement and infrastructure projects.
Connectivity and passenger growth drive transformation
By 2027, around 74 per cent of airports are expected to deploy biometrically enabled self-boarding gates, highlighting the pace of transformation in passenger processing. The Middle East aviation sector has already recorded a 28 per cent increase in overall connectivity, with intercontinental and intra-regional links exceeding pre-pandemic levels by 16 per cent and 18 per cent respectively.
Future of air travel
On the sidelines of the exhibition, the Global Airport Leaders’ Forum (GALF) will take place alongside specialised conferences including Airport Security Middle East, ATC Forum and Women in Aviation (WIA) Middle East.
“Technology is no longer a collection of standalone tools but the backbone of airport operations,” said May Ismail, Event Manager at RX Middle East, the show’s organiser. “The airport of the future will be a technologically advanced and passenger-centric hub delivering a seamless travel experience.”
A joint report by Oliver Wyman, ACI World and the Sustainable Tourism Global Centre projects that advances in AI, biometrics, automation and 3D printing will significantly disrupt traditional airport models, delivering customised, contactless and efficient passenger journeys. By 2030, the use of AI and biometric systems is expected to become standard practice across global airports.
With global passenger numbers on track to reach 10 billion in the coming decades, industry stakeholders see the Airport Show 2026 as a critical platform to explore new technologies and shape the next phase of aviation development.
