Airport security under the spotlight at Intersec 2016

The international trade fair for security, safety and fire protection solutions, to be held from 17-19 January 2016 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, will host many of the world's foremost aviation security providers.

Growth in air traffic is expected to grow in the Middle East by six per cent annually, compared to a global average of 4.6 per cent. This will drive a need in the Middle East for more than 2,400 new passenger and freighter aircraft, valued at US$590bn. Aviation security investment in the region is projected to rise as the fleet increases from nearly 1,100 aircraft in 2015 to more than 2,950 by 2034.

“The rise of the three big Gulf carriers, Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad, is the driving force of international transcontinental travel,” said Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Middle East, the organiser of Intersec. “The growth in their travel hubs and the surge in passenger numbers passing through terminals, along with air freight and cargo, means global airport and aviation security majors are expecting the Middle East to become a big market for cutting-edge technologies and the latest in security systems.”

Smiths Detection, Bosch Security Systems, Nedap, Genetec, 2N Communication, Adani, AllGoVision, CEIA, Nuctec, Delv, Frontier Pitts, Rockwell Collins, Gesab, WEY Technology, G4S and Intertech Vision are among the exhibitors presenting aviation security solutions at Intersec 2016.

"The increase in the number of global air passengers, particularly in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific regions, have played a key role in driving investments in airport security infrastructures," said Paul Baker, managing director of Smiths Detection in the Middle East. He added that in Qatar, IATA expects passenger numbers to increase by 4.8 per cent annually, with the 2022 FIFA World Cup being a factor in this growth.

Yuan Youzhong echoed Baker's sentiments in regard to big events being a catalyst for aviation security investment: “The extension of existing airports and their facilities in preparation for mega events, such as the Dubai 2020 EXPO and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar require more updated facilities including security systems.”