Global aviation leaders convene in Dubai
For pivotal forum on airports future
The global aviation community will gather for the 12th edition of the Global Airport Leaders Forum (GALF) in Dubai from May 6 to 7, 2025. The event, co-located with the 24th edition of the Airport Show, brings together high-level aviation policymakers, airport operators, and technology leaders to discuss transformative trends expected to reshape the future of airports over the next quarter-century.
GALF 2025 serves as a platform for decision-makers to engage in strategic dialogue on how airports can adapt to growing demands, shifting passenger expectations, and fast-evolving technologies. The discussions cover various topics, including digitisation, infrastructure expansion, sustainability, and enhanced passenger experiences.
The forum opens with a keynote address by Lt. Gen. Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai. He will speak on the theme of ‘Commitment to Excellence and a Proactive Approach to Shaping the Future of Aviation, reflecting Dubai’s strategic focus on innovation and leadership in air travel.
Another keynote will be delivered by Mohammed Abdulla Lengawi, Director General of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, whose insights will underscore Dubai’s role as a forward-thinking aviation policy and planning model.
In addition, Abdulla Al Shamsi, Director of Engineering at Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects, will present a keynote entitled ‘Innovation at the Heart of Airport Evolution’. At the same time, Yann Guillemain, Senior Vice President for EMEA Airports at Amadeus, will also explore the drive towards operational excellence and technological transformation.
One of the highlights of GALF is the C-suite panel discussion moderated by Captain Abdullah Al Haider, a consultant at Dammam Airports Company. The panel will examine strategic airport expansion and new infrastructure development, focusing on integrating advanced technologies to meet growing passenger needs and operational challenges.
The panel will feature a lineup of global airport leaders: Askin Demir, CEO of Aéroport Internationale Blaise Diagne (Senegal), Piervittorio Farabbi, Chief Operating Officer of Tirana International Airport (Albania), Philippe Arsonneau, Infrastructure Segment President at Schneider Electric, and Nazareno Ventola, CEO of Aeroporto G. Marconi di Bologna (Italy).
These industry veterans will delve into green airports, automation, and innovative infrastructure, aiming to craft a roadmap to help airports thrive in an increasingly digital, climate-conscious world.
Held under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the Airport Show 2025 is set to be the largest B2B platform for the airport industry in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region. This year’s show features over 130 exhibitors and over 150 buyers from 30 countries, showcasing a robust cross-section of the global airport supply chain.
The Airport Show features three specialised platforms—GSE Zone, Airport Tech Pavilion, and Airport Design Hub—each designed to showcase critical technologies and creative innovations defining the next air travel era.
Two knowledge-sharing conferences, Airport Security Middle East and the Air Traffic Control (ATC) Forum, will be held alongside the exhibition component. These sessions will discuss the pressing challenges in securing the skies and improving air traffic management across increasingly congested airspace.
According to the International Civil Aviation Organization, air passenger numbers are projected to soar to 12.4 billion by 2050—a massive leap that demands innovative thinking and proactive planning.
With 2.4 billion millennial passengers expected to fly by 2050, airports’ need to adapt their infrastructure and service models is more urgent than ever. GALF and the Airport Show provide a space to debate, learn, and collaborate, ensuring that airports are well-prepared to handle this generational shift in passenger demographics.
By gathering the sector’s most influential voices, GALF 2025 will help shape a global vision for the future airport—innovative, sustainable, and centred on passenger experience.
Image: File photo of a speakers’ session at a past edition of the Global Airport Leaders Forum in Dubai. Credit: Airport Show
