Airports are going full “smart city” — and it’ll cost $183bn

Airports across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia are investing $183bn in expansion, smart tech, and sustainability. Here’s what’s changing — and what Airport Show 2026 in Dubai will spotlight.

Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International expansion project - Artist's impression

Airports in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia aren’t tweaking around the edges. The region is lining up US$183 billion in expansion and service upgrades — from bigger terminals to smarter security and smoother passenger journeys powered by AI and connected sensors (IoT).

A lot of that momentum will be on show at Airport Show 2026 at Dubai World Trade Centre in May 2026, where suppliers and airport decision-makers are expected to talk shop on the tech and infrastructure that keeps growth from turning into chaos.

Airports across MEASA are tied to an expansion and upgrade wave worth US$183 billion, spanning terminals, runways, and tech.
Saudi Arabia leads the regional pipeline value, followed by the UAE and Bahrain, with many projects already in pre-execution/execution.
Expect more AI + IoT use in security, passenger flow, and operations — plus more sustainability tech behind the scenes.
Airport Show 2026 runs 12–14 May 2026 at DWTC, Dubai, with co-located forums on leadership, security, ATC, and women in aviation.
Long-term demand forecasts are pushing this: ACI projects 17.7 billion passengers by 2043 (global).

The $183bn pipeline, in plain English

The region’s airport build-out is deep into planning and delivery, with the bulk of project value already in pre-execution and execution stages. Saudi Arabia holds the largest share of pipeline value, followed by the UAE and Bahrain.

Pipeline status: 78.7% of value in pre-execution/execution phases
Pipeline share by value: Saudi Arabia 42.5%, UAE 26.8%, Bahrain 7.6%
What airports want: higher capacity, better passenger experience, wider connectivity, smarter operations

This isn’t just about shiny new buildings. It’s also about making airports work better when passenger numbers keep climbing over the next two decades. ACI’s long-range forecast has global passenger traffic reaching 17.7 billion by 2043.

Smart airports are the new baseline

The press release frames “smart airports” around AI and IoT — meaning software that can spot patterns (AI) and connected devices that feed live data (IoT). The aim is faster processing, fewer bottlenecks, and smoother operations.

Where AI shows up: queue prediction, staffing, security risk flags, operational decision-making
Where IoT helps: asset tracking, real-time equipment status, smarter building management
What passengers notice: quicker flow through checkpoints, less stop-start movement, better wayfinding

If you want a related read on how transport in the UAE is thinking about next-gen aviation networks, this one’s worth a click: Archer’s air taxi just flew in the UAE — what it means.

Sustainability: less talk, more infrastructure

The release calls out practical sustainability work: renewable energy, electric/autonomous vehicles, efficient building design, waste reduction, and digital tools to optimise operations.

Energy: renewables and smarter consumption
Airside vehicles: more electric and autonomous options
Waste: reduction and better management systems

Translation: a lot of the “green” work is the unsexy stuff that cuts cost and improves reliability — which is exactly why airports actually do it.

The biggest projects name-checked

The release lists a spread of major projects across the Gulf, plus growth stories in South Asia and Africa. It also references a GlobalData snapshot (July 2025) of 48 projects worth US$182.6bn across the AGCC.

Dubai: Al Maktoum International expansion targeting 260m passengers/year, cost AED 128bn (US$34.8bn)
Saudi: King Abdulaziz (Jeddah) expansion at US$31bn, targeting 114m passengers/year (completion cited as 2031)
Saudi: King Salman International (Riyadh) targets 185m passengers/year and major cargo capacity
UAE (other): Sharjah expansion due by 2026; Ras Al Khaimah expansion through 2028

On demand, IATA materials cited in the release point to the Middle East reaching 530 million passengers by 2043.

Airport Show 2026: what to know if you’re in the industry

Airport Show’s 25th edition is positioned as a regional platform for airports to showcase projects and source tech, with multiple co-located conferences (leaders, security, ATC, and women in aviation).

Dates: 12–14 May 2026
Where: Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC)
Co-located forums named: Global Airport Leaders’ Forum, Airport Security Middle East, ATC Forum, Women in Aviation Middle East

Official event site: The Airport Show

For a security-adjacent angle (since airports always end up there), here’s a recent Tbreak event piece you can cross-link: Intersec Saudi Arabia 2025 dates, agenda, who’s going.

FAQ

What does “US$183 billion” cover?

The release describes it as airport expansion and service enhancement spending across the region, including construction plus technology upgrades.

When is Airport Show 2026 in Dubai?

12–14 May 2026 at Dubai World Trade Centre.

What “smart tech” are airports in the region focusing on?

The release highlights AI and IoT used to improve passenger handling, operations, and facilitation.

Which countries lead the MENA airport construction pipeline?

Saudi Arabia leads by pipeline value share, followed by the UAE and Bahrain (as cited in the release).

Why is this investment happening now?

Passenger demand forecasts are a big driver. ACI projects global passenger traffic reaching 17.7 billion by 2043, and IATA materials point to Middle East passenger numbers reaching 530 million by 2043.