The Past, Present and Future of Aviation in Dubai - Airport Business

26 The past, present and future of Dubai aviationThe first live flight into Dubai WorldCentral-Al Maktoum Internationaltook place on 20 June 2010.a decision for the Governmentof Dubai, which is also the ownerof the airline,” explained Clark.ranges, and a varying number and mixof seats. Coupled with the networkof more than 100 destinations inover 60 countries, this gives Emiratesthe flexibility to adjust its operationand ensure that the appropriateaircraft type is used on routesaccording to levels of demand. Thisoperational efficiency is a key factorin Emirates’ continued profitability.Emirates Terminal 3The airline worked extremely closelywith Dubai Airports on the design ofthe highly lauded Emirates Terminal3, and continues to work with theairport team to plan for Concourse3. “We have always had a very openand close relationship with DubaiAirports. This is helped significantly bythe fact that our Chairman and ChiefExecutive Sheikh Ahmed bin SaeedAl-Maktoum is also the Chairman ofDubai Airports,” commented Clark.Emirates Terminal 3 has been anincredible success since it openedin 2008 thanks to the collaborativeeffort from all stakeholders. It is aninvaluable asset for the airline as itcontinues to leverage the airport toits full potential to fulfil its strategicplans. “Our customers continue tobenefit from the ease, convenienceand luxury the terminal represents.Having our own dedicated facilityhas allowed us to imprint our ownpersonal style on it, replicating thecomfort and convenience of flyingEmirates on the ground,” said Clark.“Emirates Terminal 3 is a testamentto our corporate values that seeour passengers enjoy ease of travel,home comforts and refined luxuriesboth in the air and on the ground –helping us to deliver on our promiseand fulfil customer expectationsfrom the Emirates brand.”Meanwhile, Dubai World Central-Al Maktoum International is beingdeveloped to cater to the futureaviation and logistics needs ofDubai. While Dubai International issufficient for Emirates’ immediateneeds, and with a certain amountof investment will be able toaccommodate the airline’s fleetgrowth for the next 12 years,there is no doubt that the newairport will play an increasinglyimportant role in the long-term.“Emirates aims to move to thenew airport between 2022 and2030. Any relocation of Emirates’operations to Dubai World Central-Al Maktoum International, and theconcrete timing of such a shift, isClark: “Our strategy is to continue to progressively grow as a high quality and profitable global carrierconnecting six continents through our efficient hub in Dubai. We believe air travel will grow stronglyin the next decade, and with many major airports worldwide operating at maximum capacity dueto constraints on expansion, the A380 is key to our plans to meet increasing passenger demand.”Strategic planEmirates has a very specific longtermstrategic plan to grow andexpand its business. With a totalof 90 A380 aircraft ordered, it isset to become the world’s largestoperator. The A380 is an integralpart of the airline’s growth strategyand the aircraft is pegged tobecome the backbone of its longhaul operation. Clark commented:“The A380 is our flagship in termsof passenger comfort, innovation,operating and environmentalefficiency, and revenue generation.”The airline is constantlyassessing and reviewing new routeopportunities. While it never commitsto markets in which it does notsee long-term potential, Emiratesis known for entering marketsnot previously served by largeinternational carriers. For instance,it sees incredible opportunitythroughout Africa and currentlyserves 19 African destinations –Dakar, Senegal being the most recentaddition on 1 September 2010.Dubai has become a significanttourism and business destinationin its own right. The hub model iskey; Dubai is located at a strategiccrossroads between Europe, Asiaand Africa. “Nearly two billionpeople live within four hours’ flyingtime of the Gulf and more thantwice as many within eight hours.Our business model relies onbringing people from one cornerof the world to another, via ourefficient Dubai hub,” said Clark.“We are committed to promotingDubai alongside Emirates andeach year implement a numberof initiatives that are designedto bring further traffic to theemirate. Such initiatives includestopover incentives and large scaletrade and media familiarisationtrips to increase word-of-mouthexposure in the market.”