The Airport Build & Supply Exhibition, a new Middle East showcase for airport suppliers, was officially opened in Dubai late last month, by Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai's Department of Civil Aviation (DCA), and chairman of Emirates.

The three-day exhibition at Airport Expo Dubai, attracted a line-up of 101 exhibitors from 14 countries, all vying to be part of the Government of Dubai's ambitious development plan to make Dubai International Airport one of the world's leading aviation hubs. It is being developed to meet the needs of travellers and airlines as far ahead as 2030.

The DCA commissioned the exhibition, organised by Streamline Marketing, to act as a forum for suppliers and contractors to meet decision-makers and showcase their products, services and technologies.

Tenders for the first batch of contracts on the airport expansion are expected to be called in a year's time, while those for the cargo terminal are due this month.

Dar Al Handasah is the design consultant while France's Aeroports de Paris Ingeniere has been signed for the Terminal III portion.

Second phase preparations are well under way and involve more than 20 projects relating to the construction, fitting and equipping of Terminal 3, an underground facility featuring departure and arrival halls, and car parking. In addition, a 920-m-long, 27-gate concourse capable of handling the largest aircraft, will include a duty-free shopping mall, lounges, cafes, restaurants, hotel, swimming pool, health and other leisure facilities.

The mega cargo terminal is part of a master plan to create a 3 million tonnes per annum facility