Dubai to host maiden GIAS

Dubai will host the first Global Investment in Aviation Summit (GIAS) from January 28-29, 2019, with 500 top aviation industry officials from across the world in attendance.

TT Bureau

The Global Investment in Aviation Summit in Dubai is set to witness high-profile delegates from 40 countries including 20 aviation ambassadors, 10 knowledge partners, 200 aviation officials and 300 investors. The UAE authorities are investing Dh85 billion ($23.16 billion) in airport development and  expansion that will see its airports develop combined capacity to handle more than 300 million passengers per year.

“Our airlines and airports have been ranking consistently as among the best internationally. On compliance level, the UAE is ranked as a top member state of the International Civil Aviation Organisation. GIAS is the UAE’s testament on how far we have achieved and of our commitment to push the nation to be a global pioneer in this field. We anticipate accommodating 118 million passengers by 2023 at the Dubai International Airport, and 120 million passengers upon completion of Phase-II of the Dubai World Central, and 200 million passengers upon its completion,” said HE Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General, UAE General Civil Aviation Authority.

The three-day international summit of aviation leaders will see a number of activities, including the GIAS Summit, GIAS Masterclass, GIAS Aviation Investment Destination, GIAS Investor Lounge, GIAS New Business Accelerator, GIAS Ambassadors, GIAS Bilateral Meetings, GIAS Aviation Super Stars Closing Ceremony, among others.

GIAS Summit

This two-day event will focus on presenting the most attractive sectors in aviation for investments, its future outlooks, factors that will drive the region’s development, public and private ventures, as well as government incentives to key projects in aviation. With key speakers, participants will get curated content with enormous relevance for their financial interests.

GIAS Investor Lounge

A special zone will be dedicated to top investment houses and investment corporations, development banks and sovereign wealth funds. This feature will allow them to meet with official government representatives as well as project developers seeking financing and discuss the possibility of new ventures and partnerships.

GIAS Masterclass

On the first day, world experts and reference projects will gather to offer participants a 360-degree view on the best investment practices with interactive masterclass outlined for institutional investors and project finance managers looking to understand aviation finance. GIAS will feature international governments’ investment proposals delivered by key government officials and top private sector executives whilst providing attending financiers with a perspective on ongoing and future projects