Advisory board members gear up for Global Airport Leaders' Forum

An Advisory Board consisting of representatives from international, government and private sector aviation organisations get set for the Global Airport Leaders' Forum (GALF-2015) to be held in Dubai in May.
Time Aerospace thumbnail

The third edition of the forum will be co-located with the 15th edition of Airport Show, the world’s leading B2B airport industry event, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC) from May 11 to 12. 

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, chairman of Dubai Airports and chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group, said: “The importance of airports as global travel hubs has been growing. In Dubai, the massive airport expansions are needed to accommodate the growth in air traffic and airport development continues to play a strategic role in our future growth agenda. The huge and consistent aviation investments will have a positive impact not just for Dubai alone but for the UAE, Gulf region and the world.” 

He added, “GALF has been bringing international aviation experts and leaders to Dubai for an unparalleled knowledge and expertise sharing experience which will contribute to our combined efforts towards the sustained growth of the global aviation industry.” 

Members of the Advisory Board, which had its first meeting in Abu Dhabi recently, include: Aws Al Khanjari, general manager for Emergency Services and Quality Assurance, Abu Dhabi Airports Company, Georges Hannouche, CEO, Bayanat Airports Engineering and Supplies, Hamdi Osman, former senior vice president and CEO of FedEx Express for Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa, Michael Herrero, Gulf area manager at IATA and Nadia Konzali, project manager, Airworthiness Expert COSCAP-Gulf States at ICAO. 

Herrero said: “The Airport Show and GALF-2015 bring an excellent opportunity to understand today’s challenges and trends about where airports are heading or should head to. An important aspect of this industry is the need for collaboration and cooperation in planning and operations of airports in order to ensure a safe, secure and sustainable industry. 

“Currently a key focus is set on better passenger experience, increased security levels and more efficient master planning. These events facilitate sharing information, networking and learning from leaders, all of this in a region that is capturing the highest growth rates.” 

Daniyal Qureshi, group exhibition director, said: “As an important knowledge sharing platform for the aviation industry, the depth of experience and market insights of the Advisory Board members will help us immensely in formulating a strong agenda and finalizing an impressive lineup of speakers, mostly global stalwarts.”

Reed Exhibitions Middle East, which is working with Nadd Al Shiba PR & Event Management as the Conference Producer for GALF-2015, said there has been an overwhelming response from aviation industry professionals to GALF.    

GALF-2015 will be addressed by Sultan Al Mansoori, UAE’s Minister of Economy & Chairman of General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Major General Mohammed Al Marri, Director General, General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs- Dubai (GDRFA-D), Major General Pilot Ahmed Bin Thani, Assistant Commander for Seaports and Airports Affairs, Dubai Police, Thani Abdulla Al Zaffin, Director General and Board Member, emaratech and Angela Gittens, Director General, Airport Council International (ACI). 

Other speakers include: Hussein Dabbas, Regional Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) at IATA, Matthys Serfontein ,VP Airport Solutions, SITA, Philippe Merlo, Director ATM, Eurocontrol, Ibrahim Ahli, Senior Vice-President, Dubai Air Navigation Services (DANS), Massimiliano Fuksas, the internationally renowned architect of Shenzen Bao’an International Airport in China, David Chawota, CEO, Civil Aviation Authority Zimbabwe, Dr. Ralf Gaffal, VP International Business, Munich Airport, Mohammed Al Rais, Middle East Regional President, Hill International, Georges Hannouche, CEO, Bayanat Airports Engineering & Supplies Company and Dieter A. Heinz, President, German Airport & Technology Equipment (GATE).                           

GALF will debate the current issues and future concerns of the airports industry for a better tomorrow. A number of issues like government regulations, best practices, industry cooperation and collaboration, innovation and technology and future travel trends will be discussed at the Forum by experts.