This year’s show in Munich runs between 8 and 11 October. The event continues to grow and Mack Brooks Exhibitions’ inter airport Europe show director Nicola Hamann explains the secret of its success
What were the highlights of inter airport Europe 2011? Will you be building on those for 2013?
For the airport industry, inter airport Europe 2011 was an important industry event. Held some three years after the global economic crisis (hit), the exhibition sent positive signals for the airport industry. The show had grown in size, as well as exhibitor and visitor numbers, compared to the 2009 event and everyone was more optimistic again. A large number of newly developed and enhanced airport equipment was on display, and visitors were prepared to invest again on a larger scale.
For this year’s inter airport Europe we are able to announce further growth. C ompared to the previous event, inter airport Europe 2013 has considerably grown in size, in particular in the outdoor area. Exhibiting companies who will present their large-scale equipment and vehicles in the outdoor area have booked 20% more stand space for this year’s show. Four months ahead of the event, the indoor area in halls B5 and B6 of the Munich Trade Fair Centre were already almost fully booked.
This strong demand for exhibition space seems to reflect a currently positive outlook for the airport industry that is due in large part to an overall increase in passenger figures, mainly in emerging markets. However, everyone in the airport sector is aware of the economic situation remaining fragile.
Have you any expectations for visitor and/or exhibitor numbers this year?
More than 600 exhibitors from over 30 countries have booked their stands at inter airport Europe 2013. This is about the same number of exhibitors as the previous event. Given the growth in floor space of this year’s event, it shows that exhibiting companies will present themselves with larger stands, in particular in the outdoor area. For visitors, this means that they will be able to expect even more large-scale equipment and live demonstrations of new products and systems at this year’s show. We can also once again expect a large number of trade visitors at this year’s event. A total of 12,641 visitors from 119 countries attended the 2011 show.
What, in particular, do you think the show will offer for suppliers of ground support equipment?
The increase in floor space in the outdoor area at this year’s exhibition as well as the almost fully booked indoor area of the event demonstrates that, amongst GSE manufacturers and suppliers, inter airport Europe is renowned as the major platform to present their equipment and technologies to a professional audience from all over the world.
The exhibition attracts professionals from airports, airlines, air cargo carriers and aviation support businesses ready to invest in innovative solutions across all areas of ground support equipment – from aircraft, passenger, cargo and baggage handling to rescue systems and consumables.
And for GSE users/operators?
All involved in the airport industry, and GSE operators in particular, are facing challenges such as increasing energy costs, stricter environmental standards and the need to continuously adapt capacity to demand. Operational efficiency together with the improvement of the environmental impact of airports are key issues for GSE operators. inter airport Europe 2013 will present solutions to tackle these challenges. Through new and improved equipment and technology, exhibiting companies offer tangible solutions with a direct impact on fuel and carbon emissions reduction and that offer a more flexible approach to managing passenger and freight capacity.
For industry professionals the exhibition is an excellent opportunity to get an overview of trends and to source the latest products and services, ranging from electric vehicles and environmentally friendly runway cleaning solutions to intelligent traffic and operations management systems. Designed to minimise costs and save on environmental resources, the equipment and systems on display can make an enormous contribution to increasing the revenues of those working at airports of all sizes.
It’s been a difficult few years for the aviation industry; is this a good time for a big show like inter airport Europe?
The economic outlook for the airport industry remains fragile. However, the figures for this year’s leading international exhibition in this industry sector demonstrate that companies are looking ahead with optimism. Manufacturers are investing in research and development in order to provide the industry with innovative equipment and practical solutions, and airport operators are continuously seeking to enhance their airports with efficient, passenger-friendly and environmentally sustainable technology.
Let’s also not forget the large number of projects for airport expansion and new constructions that are currently under way – and not only in growth markets such as Russia, China, South-east Asia and Brazil.
What do you think sets inter airport Europe apart from other shows in this business space?
inter airport Europe is the world’s leading trade show for airport equipment, technology, design and services. Within the aviation industry, the exhibition is renowned as a one-stop-shop for airport professionals from all over the world. With its comprehensive range of equipment and services for ground handling, terminal operations, airport IT and airport design, the exhibition attracts a global audience of industry specialists from airports, airlines, air cargo carriers and aviation support. The show is unique, as there is no other industry event of this dimension covering such a comprehensive choice of exhibits for terminals, terminal-adjoining facilities, runways, aprons and hangars.
