TravTalk Middle East Online Magazine
As Sharjah prepares to receive 20 million passengers by 2027, its billion dirham expansion plan is underway to make it one of the most unique airports in the region. His Excellency Ali Salim Al Midfa, Chairman, Sharjah Airport Authority shares the plan for ATM this year.
TT Bureau
Q What will be product offerings for this year at ATM?
ATM is the ideal platform for Sharjah International Airport to showcase its services, facilities and B2B endeavours to local, regional and international industry professionals. Sharjah Airport Authority will highlight the unique components of the airport and its key services and expansion plans, including the AED1.5 billion plan where the airport capacity is forecasted to handle 20 million passengers by 2027.
Q What are your expectations at this year’s ATM?
We are looking forward to attract airlines, travel and tourism industry key players to come and discover the unique offerings of Sharjah as a destination, and the facilities and services of Sharjah International Airport as one of the gateways to UAE.
Q Could you share the final numbers from last year at Sharjah airport?
2017 showed an optimistic increase in both aircraft and passenger movements; with passengers crossing the 11.365 million mark and aircraft movements reaching 77,627. The increase in new routes, flight frequencies and holiday season at Sharjah International Airport contributed to the positive airline and passenger traffic. The continued steady rise in passenger traffic airraft movements and cargo operations are indicators of a positive and upward trend within the UAE economy and tourism growth.
Q What is the airport’s longterm objective and development plan? What will you do to contribute to Sharjah Tourism Vision 2021?
Sharjah International Airport is coping with the ever-growing demands of the airport users by continuous developments, investments in airport infrastructure, equipments and technology to cater Sharjah tourism’s vision as Sharjah’s airport is the first point for tourists visiting Sharjah. Tour operators and travel agents are an integral part within the chain of the aviation industry. The achieved growth rates in the UAE travel market had proven that the future of aviation industry will witness an increasing demand on this sector. This demand is driving us at Sharjah International Airport to constantly increase our capacity and develop the level and diversity of our services offered to the airline operators and our passengers.
