In addition, the OEM received the status of ‘Preferred Supplier’ for flight controls.

“We are grateful and very honoured to receive this outstanding recognition. The award and status not only highlight our joint achievement in current development activities, but also recognise the more than 40-year partnership between Embraer and us”, said Dr. Klaus Schneider, managing director and chief technology officer of Liebherr-Aerospace & Transportation SAS.

Technology from Liebherr can be found in many different Embraer aircraft models. The OEM develops, manufactures, and provides customer services for various components and systems such as landing gears, flight controls as well as environmental control and thermal management systems to several Embraer programs, including the E-Jet E1 and E2 families, the C-390 Millennium, the Super Tucano, and the Praetor 600.

The session, ‘Looking Skyward for Innovation: How Technology is Disrupting Aviation’, was moderated by travel expert Mark Frary and included panellists from Cirium, IATA, AviationXLab, and Riyadh Air.

Research from IATA shows that international passenger traffic increased by 20% in March 2024 compared with the same month last year. According to Kashif Khalid, Regional Director, Africa & Middle East, IATA, innovation is essential for enabling the industry to accommodate this significant growth in air traffic.

Khalid said: “Without innovation, the future will be very challenging. We cannot continue building bigger infrastructure with the level of passengers we anticipate, so we have to look at how we manage passengers and cargo differently through digital solutions and innovation.

On the ground, the industry is working on several innovations, not only to make aviation more sustainable but also to use infrastructure more efficiently. One of these solutions is One ID, where we digitalise tokens for passengers, which enables us to facilitate passengers seamlessly. How we use the traditional infrastructure of airports is going to change dramatically.”

IATA One ID is a digital identity initiative that aims to streamline and enhance passenger travel. The ground-breaking system consolidates a variety of travel documents, such as passports, tickets, and boarding passes, into a single digital token, eliminating the need for multiple physical documents. By providing a unified and efficient identity management solution, IATA One ID enhances security, simplifies check-in processes, and facilitates seamless travel across airports.

During the panel discussion, Kevin Hightower, Vice President of Product, Cirium, stated that data sharing is the key to increasing efficiency in the aviation space and helping the industry accommodate increased demand. Hightower said, “That which is measured can be improved. As we share more data across boundaries, we will start to see the benefits today. Where a decision used to take hours, technologies such as Generative AI enable us to make decisions in seconds.”

Riyadh Air, Saudi’s new national carrier, will launch in 2025 and will be the first digitally native airline, according to Abe Dev, Vice President, Digital and Innovation, Riyadh Air. He said: “Technologies such as AI and cloud computing have matured in the last few years, and so have customer expectations, so we have a unique opportunity to deliver a technology-enabled guest experience that has never been seen before.”

Dev also outlined that Riyadh Air would provide a solid platform for startups to collaborate with the airline, providing further opportunities for innovation. Aviation X Lab, part of Emirates Group, is an aviation-specific incubator based in the UAE, which is already making a significant impact in this area.

Aviation X Lab brings together industry leaders, startups and experts to collaborate on solving key challenges and driving innovation in the aviation sector. Focusing on sustainability, safety, passenger experience and operational efficiency, Aviation X Lab aims to transform the future of air travel through cutting-edge technologies and collaborative partnerships.

“When we look at the travel experience, we look at the passenger journey holistically and try to map out the various touchpoints where technology and innovation can bring advancements,” said Amna Al Redha, Manager, Aviation X Lab.

She added: “We can’t talk about the future without having a sustainability focus - it’s not about being the fastest and biggest anymore; it’s about which aviation companies are going to operate in a sustainable way.”

Francois Oberholzer, chief financial officer at flydubai, received the award on the carrier’s behalf at an awards ceremony held in Dubai. The event was attended by key stakeholders in the travel and aviation industry.

Voted by the public and readers of the magazine, this award honours flydubai’s strong business model as well as its ongoing commitments to creating free flows of trade and tourism and opening up underserved destinations.

Oberholzer said: “We are pleased to have received this award as it recognises our efforts and dedication to enhancing connectivity in the Middle East and beyond. Today, flydubai has created a network of more than 125 destinations in 58 countries served by a fleet of 86 aircraft. As we continue to take the delivery of more aircraft, open up more underserved destinations and increase the frequency on our existing routes, we look forward to enhancing connectivity for our passengers from the UAE and around the flydubai network and reaffirming Dubai’s position as an international aviation hub.” ​

Powered by advanced conversational AI, Sama engaged with ATM’s attendees, demonstrating her knowledge on Qatar Airways’ diverse operations. The digital human cabin crew, designed to enable personalised travel experiences, will continue to evolve over time to improve responses through passenger interactions in the airline's immersive platform, QVerse.

In addition to the introduction of Sama, the multiple award-winning airline unveiled its innovative experience stand, offering enthusiastic crowds advanced immersive experiences. From virtual reality (VR) tours to the revolutionary multi-sensory pod, Qatar Airways’ latest technological advancements continue to enthral visitors at ATM 2024, offering them a unique way to explore the interiors of the airline’s state-of-the-art the fleet, as well as the exceptional luxury and comfort of the award-winning Qsuite.

Qatar Airways Group chief executive officer, Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “Qatar Airways is thrilled to return this year to ATM Dubai with Sama 2.0, who not only represents the cutting-edge of digital innovation in human interaction but also enhances the travel experience for all our passengers. As a multiple award-winning airline, this aligns perfectly with our commitment to exceeding expectations, offering both experts and travellers unparalleled, innovative interactions that resonate with them.”

This year, Saudia will highlight its journey of digital transformation, with a special spotlight on its recent launch of the beta version of the Travel Companion. This cutting-edge platform, powered by advanced AI technology and featuring a visually captivating interface, caters to the various needs of guests, while supporting both Arabic and English languages.

Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group said: "We are glad to return to this global travel platform and benefit from ATM's extensive network. This presents a valuable opportunity for Saudia to engage with industry peers, showcase our achievements, and gain insights from global industry experts. As longstanding participants of this event, we look forward to welcoming our esteemed partners and visitors to our new state-of-the-art stand.

“We take pride in our role in advancing the tourism sector in Saudi Arabia, aligning with Vision 2030. And through participating in events such as ATM 2024, Saudia is offered a platform to explore the latest trends and innovations in the aviation industry and foster high level partnerships with key players in the travel and tourism sector.” Akhonbay added.

Oman Air Cargo has signed an agreement with Revenue Technology Services (RTS) for the implementation of a comprehensive suite of digital solutions to automate key revenue and pricing processes in the airline’s cargo operational systems.

The partnership will support Oman Air to enhance efficiency, make more informed pricing decisions, optimise utilisation of its belly cargo capacity, and ultimately, deliver superior customer experiences.

Ahmed Al Amry, chief transformation officer at Oman Air, said: "Our partnership with RTS represents a strategic investment in the future of our Cargo business. As air cargo continues to play an increasingly important role in airline revenue, it's essential for us to leverage cutting-edge technologies to optimise operations, drive profitability and secure our long-term sustainability."

Raja Kasilingam, President of RTS, expressed his excitement about the partnership and RTS's role in supporting Oman Air Cargo's digitalisation strategy: “The collaboration highlights both companies' commitment to challenging industry norms and driving significant improvements in air cargo handling.”

Together, both companies plan to expand market share in different NLT segments globally, and to enter new strategically important markets such as the USA. 

Hamad Al Marar, EDGE group managing director & CEO, said: “This is a hugely significant development for EDGE. Having CONDOR as part of the group opens up new avenues for sustainable global growth and innovation, enabling us to diversify our offerings by partnering with a proven world leader in the design and manufacture of sophisticated NLT solutions. It also clearly demonstrates that our strategy of forming valuable ‘win-win’ partnerships in Brazil and elsewhere is delivering tangible results and benefits to all parties on an international scale. 

“Our world is currently experiencing a period of not only increased civil unrest, immigration crisis, and street protests, but also major concerns about the levels of force used in combat situations in populated environments, asymmetric warfare, and post-war damage control, where non-lethal technologies play a relevant role. The challenges and pressures faced by concerned stakeholders from local law enforcement and defence forces continue to grow as a result. By absorbing the experience and knowledge provided by CONDOR, EDGE is able to bolster its exiting capabilities to deliver to customers an unbeatable and centralised range of technologies for the protection of life and humans rights, in multiple scenarios and situations.”

The company operates across 500 locations worldwide, serving some of the largest and most reputable airlines. In 2017, it opened its Temperature Control Competence Center located in Abu Dhabi, where a specialised team ensures the efficient global management of temperature- controlled containers.

“Over the past two decades, Jettainer has transformed from a modest operator into a leader in the industry, we extend our gratitude to our customers, partners, and employees for their unwavering support and dedication,” stated Thomas Sonntag, CEO of Jettainer. “This milestone underscores the exceptional quality of our services and the innovative strength of our team."

The event will focus key topics including Passenger Experience, Digitalisation, Innovation, Emerging Technologies, Manpower Development, Airport Security and Air Traffic Management (ATM).

For three days from May 14, the leading annual event dedicated to the Middle East, Africa and South Asia’s airport industry is set to provide unparalleled networking and business opportunities through the co-located events - the ATC Forum, Airport Security Middle East, and the GALF. The much-anticipated B2B event will have the participation of over 150 exhibitors from more than 20 countries along with 6000+ visitors from over 30 countries.

Present will be top airport developers, officials, and suppliers from across the world as the contours of airport business and operations undergo tectonic changes to handle global passengers numbering 8.2 billion annually by 20237 as predicted by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Investments by airports globally have been estimated to reach US$2.4 trillion in 2040.

A beacon of innovation and efficiency, the Smart Airports market alone is poised to achieve a remarkable valuation of US$10.16 billion by 2030. The global aviation leaders and key regional airport decision-makers will have threadbare discussions on pertinent topics including aviation sustainability, global collaboration, Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), new technologies and innovations, and the prospects of the airport industry’s boom in the coming future.

The aviation market in the Middle East, a region with over 110 airports in 22 countries, had been valued at US$60 billion in 2023, and the region will need to invest US$151 billion in capacity expansion as air passenger keeps soaring rapidly. The Middle East airports are set to handle 1.1 billion passengers by 2040, with the Middle East and Asia-Pacific regions scheduled to account for 58 percent of the global air passenger demand in 2040.

The CAPA - Centre for Aviation has listed the total numbers of the airport project and the volume of investment in the Middle East currently standing at 155 with a worth of US$209.4 billion. Passenger traffic worldwide is expected to reach 19.3 billion in 2041 and 23.9 billion in 2050. In 2041, airports are predicted to handle almost 200 million tons of air cargo worldwide. Airports worldwide will see 153.8 million aircraft movements by 2041.

The agenda-driven Global Airport Leaders Forum (GALF) will take place against the backdrop of massive investments either getting executed or planned in the Middle Eastern countries until 2030 – and beyond. Air transport currently supports 3.3 million jobs and US$213 billion in its economic activity or 7.6 percent of all GDP in the region.

Confirmed speakers include Ibrahim Ahli, Acting CEO of Dubai Air Navigation Services (dans), Abdullah Alshamsi, Senior Director of Future of Things, Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP), Sheikh Aimen bin Ahmed Al Hosni, CEO of Oman Airports Management Company, Ayman Abdulaziz AboAbah, CEO, Riyadh Airports Company, Dr. Rolf Castro-Vasquez, COO, Budapest International Airport, and Kashif Khalid, Regional Director for Africa & Middle East Operations, Safety & Security at International Air Transport Association (IATA).

The other speakers are Carlo Loveri, Head of Risk and BCM at Abu Dhabi Airports, Alpros Mohammad Hamzouq, Director for Quality, Safety, and Risk Management at Airport International Group (AIG), Csilla Orczan, Head of Ground Handling Management at Budapest Airport, Navaid Ahsan, Head of Aviation Security Operations at Aviation Security Department of Etihad Airways, Afsheen Faiz, Deputy Director of Air Traffic Services at Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority, Ahmed Isam, Head of Training at Fujairah Air Navigation Services (FANS) and Amthal Akroush, Director of Airport Security at Airport International Group (AIG).

May Ismail, Event Manager at RX, a global company that organizes over 400 events in 22 countries across 43 industry sectors including Airport Show, said this year’s event has become of high importance for the decision-makers as the airports undergo massive transformation to meet the new thinking and expectations of passengers about services and facilities for them at the airport and in the air.

“Several emerging technologies are consistently revolutionising airport experience and helping enhance operations and efficiency. Helping the rapid change process and transformation to handle security, safety, and cyber threats are the newest innovations in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), and Biometrics,” she remarked. The whole purpose behind hosting the knowledge-sharing platform to help “create airports where passengers feel safe, valued, and engaged and experience a seamless travel experience.”

This initiative serves as a stepping-stone for their future careers in aviation.

Kuljit Ghata-Aura, president of Boeing Middle East, Türkiye, Africa, and Central Asia, said: “The African aviation industry is booming. We forecast that Africa will need over 1,000 new aircraft and 69,000 aviation professionals to support that growth over the next 20 years. It is imperative we act now to prepare and inspire the future generation of aviation professionals in Africa. We are very proud to launch this impactful programme with our partners, DDD, to empower African youth to kickstart fulfilling careers in our industry”.

The Employability in Aviation programme in Kenya marks the first aviation-focused training program by DDD and Boeing and builds on their long-term partnership. Boeing's collaboration with DDD spans 16 years, during which they have provided job skills training to 1,000 young people in Kenya.

Sopheap Im, chief people officer at Digital Divide Data, said: “I am excited about the launch of the Employability in Aviation program in Kenya. This initiative is a testament to our commitment to empowering the Kenyan youth by equipping them with the necessary skills and opportunities to succeed. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this programme will have on the lives of these young people and the Kenyan aviation industry”.

The Employability in Aviation programme launched in March 2024, and will continue through December. The program consists of four cohorts. The first two cohorts completed their training in late April. This year, the program will reach 160 high school graduates aged 18-24 from various regions of Kenya. 52% of participants are women, and more than 5% represent individuals with special needs.

Each cohort is undergoing intensive training in employability skills for two months. This includes customer service in the aviation industry, basic computer skills and knowledge of Google Suite and Microsoft Office, communication in the workplace, as well as general awareness of how artificial intelligence and machine learning are applied in aviation.

Graduates who excel will have an opportunity to secure internships or entry-level roles with aviation companies in Kenya or DDD as entry-level associates. DDD associates can obtain a certificate in the aviation field through the scholarship program, paving the way to start a career in this dynamic sector. Kenya Airways is exploring opportunities to tailor training modules and provide internships or entry-level roles for the most successful graduates, enhancing the program's impact and relevance.

Allan Kilavuka, managing director and CEO of Kenya Airways, said: "We are dedicated to advancing Africa's air transport capacity and capabilities. Through collaboration with Boeing and DDD, we're tackling economic disparities by empowering young people to pursue careers in aviation."

Maureen Kahonge, senior manager of business development and communications at the African Airlines Association (AFRAA), said: "Aviation sustainability in Africa will largely depend on a holistic approach to actions undertaken by all relevant stakeholders. AFRAA commends Boeing and Digital Divide Data (DDD) for this program and other initiatives aimed at supporting the next generation of aviation professionals in Africa. The development of skilled aviation workforce in Africa is one of the focus areas for AFRAA. We work closely with industry partners on initiatives to prepare the youth for aviation careers. We believe that the continent can train the youth and help them join the aviation industry which is key to driving Africa's economic development."