Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed inaugurates trade exhibition featuring 150 global aviation firms, reaffirming mega-airport’s 150-million passenger first phase
DUBAI, Oct. 12, 2026 : Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum opened the 25th edition of the Airport Show at the Dubai World Trade Centre on Monday, highlighting the emirate’s push toward next-generation aviation infrastructure as Al Maktoum International Airport gears up for a 2032 operational launch.
The three-day trade exhibition has drawn more than 150 aviation technology and ground-handling suppliers from over 30 countries. The event brings together civil aviation authorities, commercial airport operators, and aerospace engineering firms to showcase autonomous airfield solutions, smart screening systems, and low-emission terminal technologies.
Speaking at the opening, Sheikh Mansoor, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, reaffirmed Dubai’s long-term infrastructure roadmap, centered on shifting passenger traffic to Al Maktoum International (DWC).
The primary operational phase of the mega-hub is scheduled for completion in 2032. Once open, the initial facility will handle up to 150 million passengers annually, absorbing long-haul connecting traffic while relieving constraints at Dubai International (DXB).
The broader expansion master plan approved for the facility envisions an eventual capacity exceeding 260 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo across five parallel runways, positioning the site as the world’s largest airport by volume.
Alongside the main exhibition floor, the gathering is co-located with the Global Airport Leaders’ Forum and dedicated sessions on regional airspace management and terminal automation. Demonstrations running through October 14 focus heavily on artificial intelligence in baggage logistics, biometric passenger processing, and sustainable aviation ground equipment.
Officials noted that the rapid timeline for DWC requires airport authorities and vendors to standardize digital infrastructure years ahead of physical commissioning, making supplier engagements in Dubai critical for procurement pipelines across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.
