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Sky is the limit

With Al Maktoum International airport bracing to receive its first flight we summarise the UAE’s aviation sector

The Al Maktoum International airport is touted to be the latest jewel in the UAE aviation crown. As the airport braces to officially receive its first flight today, the country’s sky-high ambitions to become the global aviation superhub of tomorrow are slowly being realised. The Al Maktoum airport will help reinforce Dubai’s role as a major re-export market, exerting a strong influence on global trade flows and acting as a gateway to an international business and tourist sector.

The UAE’s aviation sector, which contributes almost 15 per cent to the country’s GDP, has a rich history. As per the IATA (International Air Transport Association), the UAE is the second fastest growth market for international passenger traffic from 2009 to 2014. That is a huge leap since the early days of the country’s aviation history. The first airfield in Dubai came up in 1959 on a wasteland, consisting of 1,800-metre compacted runway, an apron area, a terminal building and a fire station. Today the Dubai International Airport is spread over an area of an impressive 8,640 acres. Last year the airport handled a record 57.7 million in passenger traffic, making it one of the busiest airports in the world. Dubai International also has the distinction of being a top global cargo hub.

The growth of the country’s aviation sector has been synonymous with the development of major airports. Dubai’s ambitious plans of a $7.8-billion airport expansion to increase its annual passenger capacity to 90 million passengers by 2018 have been met with cheers. The inauguration of a dedicated A380 facility, Concourse 3 at Dubai International – the world’s first dedicated to the super-jumbos – is seen as a fitting tribute to the commencement of operations at the Al Maktoum International, which commences its passenger services from October. Other emirates are not too far behind. Abu Dhabi Airport seeks to increase its passenger capacity from 20 to 40 million passengers by 2030. Build over 700,000 metres the airport’s midfield terminal building will house Etihad Airways. Similarly, the RAK Airport has witnessed a huge growth in both passenger and cargo movements. The airport has a 3,769 metre long runway, two passenger terminal buildings and a cargo terminal facility.

Known for its services and safety record, UAE’s airlines have carved a niche for itself in the global aviation arena. The big two, Emirates and Etihad, are soaring high with a plethora of accolades coming their way. Both airlines dominated the prestigious Skytrax World Airline Awards 2013 at Paris by winning the most coveted titles. Emirates was awarded the highly coveted ‘World’s Best Airline’ award along with two more awards: Best Middle East Airline and World’s Best Inflight Entertainment, for a record ninth year in a row. Etihad Airways lapped the Skytrax World Airline Award for First Class category, receiving three awards, for the second consecutive year.

Pertinently Emirates Airline, one of the world’s fastest growing carriers, was ranked number one for organisational transparency by the anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International. The airline has come a long way since its inception in the mid-80s and is now the largest airline in the Middle East, operating over 1200 flights per week from its hub at Dubai International Airport. Emirates flies to more than 150 cities around the world, spanning six continents. The airlines created a record recently in Boeing’s 95-year history, by ordering aircrafts valued at $26 billion. On the other hand Etihad has reported a jump in revenue by 11 per cent year-on-year to $1.4 billion in Q3 of 2013 with passenger revenues up by 10 per cent to $1.03 billion. Expanding its wings further, the Abu Dhabi national airline has recently bought a 24 per cent stake of Jet Airways (India) in a $339 million deal.

Being on the crossroads of the world, the UAE is keen to continue its huge aviation potential. The homework has already begun. The DCA underwent a major overhaul way back in 2007, resulting in the formation of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) as the local regulatory body. The Dubai Airports being the owner and operator of Dubai’s two airports: Dubai International and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International. With Dubai International topping the global charts, the latter is all set to enter record books as the largest aviation hub in the world. For Dubai, and the UAE, the flight to even greater heights is on.