Compared with the previous event in 2007, these figures only represent a slight decrease; they correspond with the 2005 exhibition. “In the face of the difficult situation the airport industry is currently experiencing, this is a very good success for the leading exhibition for the airport industry. It shows that the event, the trend barometer for this industry sector, enjoys an outstanding position amongst airport professionals,” explains Nicola Hamann, Exhibition Director inter airport Europe 2009 on behalf of the organisers, Mack Brooks Exhibitions.
The visitor numbers on the first exhibition day are very positive. “We had a large number of international visitors on the first day, almost comparable with the record event of 2007,” says Nicola Hamann. “But of course we will have to wait until the end of the show before we will be able to comment on the final results”.
Yesterday, an official opening ceremony was held at the trade exhibition. Speakers included Stephen Brooks, Chairman of the organisers Mack Brooks Exhibitions, Andreas von Puttkamer, Senior Vice President Aviation from Munich Airport and Dieter Heinz, President GATE, German Airport Technology and Equipment Trade Association.
Stephen Brooks informed about the high percentage of international participants at the show: 63% of the exhibiting companies come from outside Germany, mainly from France, the USA, Great Britain, Scandinavia and the Benelux countries.
Andreas von Puttkamer from Munich Airport, the longstanding previous home to the show, explained that for both, Munich Airport and inter airport Europe, success and growth were the reasons that the airport exhibition had to move to a different venue. Both needed more space, and therefore the exhibition grounds at Munich airport’s hangar had become too small.
Dieter Heinz addressed the difficult situation the airport industry is currently facing, with passenger and freight numbers still being down. However, he gave a positive outlook. He explained that the airport industry was a very innovative and courageous sector that had overcome many crises in the past by delivering high quality products and cutting-edge technology.
A large variety of new and advanced products and services for the airport of the future are on display at inter airport Europe 2009: from advanced explosives detection systems, intelligent IT-solutions for passenger flow, new baggage handling equipment, hybrid driven GSE to high performance snow blowers and fire fighting vehicles.
inter airport Europe 2009 is open until Friday, 9th October 2009. The exhibition takes place in halls B5, B6 and an outdoor area at the Munich Trade Fairgrounds, entrance East. Opening hours are Wednesday and Thursday, 9.00 – 17.00 hours and Friday, 9.00 – 15.00 hrs. Entrance tickets cost €37 (day ticket) or €57 (season ticket).