Arabian Reach, the UAE-based company specialising in exhibitions and events management across the region, has revealed that suppliers in the emerging markets are set to capitalise on the $160bn worth of airport expansion projects in Asia, Far East, Russia, CIS, Middle East, Africa and South America.

The increasing opportunities in this sector will be in focus at the second edition of the Emerging Markets Airport Suppliers Conference & Exhibition (EMASCE) that will be held under the patronage of Dubai World Central on November 21 & 22, 2012, at the Al Bustan Rotana Hotel, Dubai. This follows the highly successful inaugural edition of the event held last year which saw the participation of 40 exhibitors and 300 delegates.

Several high-profile participants and exhibitors have confirmed their presence at the 2012 edition, including Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), King Abdul Aziz International Airport (KAIA), King Khalid International Airport - Riyadh, President of Infra Aero - Brazil, CEO of GMR India, CEO of GVK - India, CEO of Moroccan Airports Authority (ONDA - Morocco), Iraq Civil Aviation Authority, General Civil Aviation Authority of Saudi Arabia (GACC), Ministry of Transport, Juba - South Sudan, Minister of Transport - Libya, Minister of Transport - Afghanistan, Director of Benghazi International Airport - Libya, Tripoli International Airport - Libya, among others.

The second edition of EMASCE assumes greater significance because it will be held in conjunction with the 3rd Emerging Markets Airports (EMA) Awards function on November 21, 2012, and is expected to be one of the world’s largest Airports Gala dinner events and will recognise excellence in 23 categories of airports industry.

Raj Menon, General Manager, Arabian Reach, said, “We believe that EMASCE will present the perfect platform for industry players to network, discuss challenges and opportunities, and build relations with potential clients in the emerging markets, especially at a time when there are billions of dollars worth of airport expansion projects currently underway. With the 3rd EMA Awards being held in conjunction with EMASCE 2012, we expect significant interest and participation at the event this year.”

The EMA awards will evaluate a broad spectrum of product and service touch points across the airport experience, covering a wide spectrum of passenger types. The awards ceremony will once again be a relaxed and informal setting bringing together key airport industry personnel from around the world.

On 15 May 2002 a Boeing 737 displaying the Air Astana logo completed the first flight from Almaty to Astana. It was the first aircraft of its kind in the republic. This was the birthdate of the new national airline of Kazakhstan even though the decree on the establishment of JSC Air Astana had been signed on 29 August 2001 and the agreement with British BAE Systems PLC was made on 2 September 2001. Following the flight to Astana there were flights to Dubai, Moscow, Beijing. For the first six months Air Astana worked in five domestic destinations. Air Astana invested in the new generation of Western-produced aircraft, offering Western standards of service to its customers.

Today Air Astana is a dynamically developing airline for which safety is a main priority. Fleet of the national air carrier consists of 26 modern western aircrafts that operate on more than 50 domestic and international routes. Within 10 years of existence Air Astana served more than 195 500 flights and transported more than 16.2 million passengers.

Air Astana greatly contributes to the country’s economy. Between 2001 and 2011 the company paid USD 249.9 million in taxes to the state budget of Kazakhstan, showing that Air Astana is a successful state project (initially $ 8.5 million was allocated for its establishment). In addition, the company provides jobs to over 3.500 people. This figure is growing as the airline is still expanding through the introduction of new destinations.

Chinese carriers earned a collective profit of CNY1.84 billion ($290.5 million) in April, down 46%, from a net income of CNY3.4 billion in the year-ago month.

Chinese domestic airlines also reported a net loss of CNY540 million in February and CNY180 million in March due to high fuel prices and the slowdown of market demand (ATW Daily News, April 13).

“Chinese carriers started to see market recovery in international routes operation but air cargo is still in depression,” an industry insider said.

According to CAAC, Chinese carriers transported 26.05 million passengers in April, up 6.9% compared to the same month last year. Passenger load factor decreased 0.7 points to 82.5%. Cargo traffic volume reduced 6.9% to 445,000 tonnes.

Industry analysts point out that domestic carriers are expected to benefit from the gradual recovery of market demands, yuan appreciation and lower fuel prices in the second quarter but capacity discipline remains the key to their financial performance.

Gatwick Airport has welcomed Air Nigeria as it begins a daily service to Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos, Nigeria.

Departing from Gatwick at 09:50 the flight will arrive in Lagos at 17:50 with the returning flight leaving Lagos at 23:50 and landing at Gatwick at 05:50 the following day.

The A330-200 aircraft is able to fly 295 passengers direct between the two cities.

Guy Stephenson, Gatwick Airport’s chief commercial officer said: “We are delighted to welcome Air Nigeria and its passengers to the airport today.

“We expect this route to be very popular, not only for people wishing to meet up with friends and family, but also with businesses in London and the South East wanting to help strengthen trade and investment links between the two countries.

“Nigeria is the third fastest growing economy in the world and is important therefore that we continue to help broaden trade links with these growing markets.”

“Air Nigeria’s preference to operate its London to Lagos route from Gatwick not only sends a strong message that Gatwick is competing but also that we have the spare capacity to grow.”

Over the past two-and-a-half years, Gatwick has been transforming the airport through a £1.2 billion investment programme to compete for airlines and grow passenger numbers.

The delivery of speedier check-in and security processes for passengers and the direct transport links into central London are just a few of the reasons why airlines, such as Air China, Korean Air, Hong Kong Airlines, Caribbean Airlines and Icelandair have chosen to operate from Gatwick this year.

David Amurun, Air Nigeria’s country manager for the UK said: “Air Nigeria’s return to its long hub operations with a London-Lagos route is exciting news for passengers.

“After a successful turn-around of the airline over the last two years, the airline is now well positioned to compete favourably on the international market.

“Gatwick Airport has excellent links into London and the South East making it easily accessible for business and leisure travellers.”

Officials at the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport have confirmed the new property will not open until March 2013, delaying the project by a further nine months.

The opening had already been delayed until June 3rd after engineers failed to install fire safety equipment.

Planners had decided to complete a partially automated version of the fire protection and control system as a transitional solution, and to introduce a fully-automated system over the following months. 

However, closed evaluation has meant this time-saving option was no longer viable.

Work on the new fire-safety system will last until December, which will be followed by three months of testing.

The decision caused outrage at Air Berlin, which will use the airport as its new base.

“This is completely unacceptable and will result in irreparable damage to the image of Berlin as an airport hub,” said Air Berlin chief executive Hartmut Mehdorn.

Berlin Brandenburg Willy Brandt Airport is being built at a cost of €2.5 billion, with estimate yet as to how much the delay will cost.

The airport will have an initial capacity of 27 million passengers annually, with longer-term plans to handle 45 million.

Existing airports in Berlin, Tegel and Schoenefeld, will close when it opens.