The airports of the GCC countries are seeing larger and larger numbers of passengers pass through their gates in recent years, with figures demonstrating an annual growth rate of around 10%, much higher than the 1% - 3% average global growth rate. This continuous increase in passenger numbers has brought with it increased security dilemmas and a growing demand for more efficient passenger processing systems to keep these transport hubs functioning smoothly.

According to Intersec organisers, Dubai is currently executing its planned investment of US$7.73 billion (AED28.4 billion) to implement the fourth phase of Dubai Airport expansion and increase its capacity to over 90 million passengers annually to meet the future growth needs. Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) is ploughing in a similar amount to expand annual capacity to 40 million passengers. Even the smaller UAE airports are investing in order to boost facilities and expansion. Sharjah plans to spend $136 million (AED500 million), while Fujairah has set aside $43.5 million (AED160 million).
Saudi Arabia is set to invest approximately $7.35 billion (SR27 billion) on new airport projects while in Oman, both the Muscat and Salalah airports are being developed at a total cost of $326 million (OR125.7 million) to handle 48 and 10 million passengers annually. Ongoing expansion in Doha and planned enhancement of passenger handling capacity in Kuwait are also expected to enhance the region’s passenger throughput.

With the number of travellers increasing in the region every year and changing security requirements, it has become imperative for airports to guarantee efficient handling processes to ensure smooth traffic flow and minimise procedural delays. This has led to growing demand for passenger processing systems which can streamline the flow of people and their baggage, improving efficiency and enhancing traffic handling capacities.

“With the tremendous increase in traffic at the region’s airports and with the persistent and increasingly innovative approaches to unlawful interference with the aviation system it is vitally important that the security staff handling the various security screening procedures are able to do so in an error tolerant and threat mitigating manner. Awareness of the importance of ensuring fool-proof security while at the same time providing passengers with efficient service is continually and even more so of the utmost importance,” said Andrew Mc Clumpha, Director of Leigh Fisher. Mc Clumpha will present on the human factors in aviation security operations during the summit.

“Security is a major concern the world over and an interesting business area,” said Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Epoc Messe Frankfurt, organiser of Intersec. “This region has developed as a global hub with increased passenger numbers. Implementing smooth systems is an essential element of the growth of our regional airports,” he added.