JEDDAH – According to IATA reports, the Middle East will process 400 million air travelers by 2020 as state-of-the-art airports come on line, major carriers expand their route networks and aircraft orders from the Gulf region further boost capacity. The current pipeline of new hotels pegged for the region and expanding cruise facilities in several key destinations are also translating into new business opportunities will bring the industry's main players together under one roof. “The Middle East is leading global growth in long-haul airline seats and added 22,000 extra seats per day in September alone, according to the latest OAG report. The UAE is also the single biggest market for Airbus, with total orders valued at $223.9 billion over the next 20 years. With this kind of mid to long-term growth forecast, there couldn't be a better time for our members to convene in the region,” said Stephen White, International Travel Catering Association (ITCA) president. Against this backdrop, ITCA joined forces with SIAL Middle East 2012 for the upcoming event that will be held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) Nov. 26-28. They target new business opportunities in the region as aviation sector forecasts indicate exponential growth across the GCC through to 2020, buoyed by up to $90 billion investment into infrastructure expansion. The show will host over 70 exhibitors from across the air, rail and sea sectors including companies such as De Ster Driessen Aerospace Group Nv, Fly Hidrate, Linstol and Sola. Taking place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from 26-28 November. Saudi Arabia is investing billions of dollars into airport expansion for all 27 of its existing sites, and will triple capacity at Riyadh International Airport by 2015 with the launch of a new terminal. Neighboring Bahrain also plans to boost passenger capacity by 50 percent by 2015. Qatar is investing over $15 billion on airport development to accommodate aggressive expansion by Qatar Airways, with the first of three phases set to open at the end of 2012, with final completion expected by 2015. Kuwait International Airport has also unveiled a $2.1 billion expansion plan, which will initially drive capacity up to 13 million passengers per year, with 50 million passengers targeted by 2017. In the UAE, both Abu Dhabi and Dubai are forging ahead with airport expansion plans. Abu Dhabi's new 700,000-square-metre Midfield Terminal Building is set to open in 2017 with capacity for 30 million passengers per annum, while Dubai International Airport's new Concourse 3, which debuts in Q1 0213 will be the world's first purpose-built A380 facility. The 500,000-square meter concourse is part of the emirate's $7.8 billion 2020 aviation master plan, which aims to boost annual airport capacity to 90 million passengers by the end of the decade. Additional plans include the expansion of Terminal 2 to double its current size and a further concourse with capacity for over 110 international airlines. “The Middle East market is definitely one to watch, and this will be the most significant outing for ITCA to date. Our 700-strong member base includes all major airlines, regional carriers and inflight catering companies, as well as sea, rail and other suppliers; and our Hosted Buyers program puts them directly in front of the region's top decision makers,” White further said. ITCA is bringing the Mercury Awards to the region for the first time. Mercury is the most prestigious award in travel catering worldwide, sought after by the best and most pro-active companies in the industry. ITCA will also reveal the winners of its annual Mercury Awards at a gala event during the exhibition. These prestigious international travel catering awards cover eight categories including recognition for excellence in on board service, skills development, equipment and innovation. ITCA grew out of IFCA which was formed in the United Kingdom in 1980. IFCA was established as a forum and representative body for all companies involved in the inflight service industry. In 2005 with the formation of ITCA this was opened up to include both the rail and shipping industries as well as inflight. Membership is divided into three categories – caterers, suppliers of products and equipment, and airline/sea/rail operators. – SG
