The Programme - Global Travel & Tourism Summit

ProfilesThe ProgrammePATRONHH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al MaktoumPresident of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports,and Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and GroupSheikh Ahmed started his aviation career in 1985 when he was appointed President of DubaiCivil Aviation and became Chairman of Emirates Airline on the company’s establishment.His vision from the outset was to transform Dubai into a major aviation hub. In pursuit of this goal, he has madeit his mission to promote Dubai worldwide as a sophisticated, cosmopolitan city, and a preferred place for businessand leisure.In early 2003, Sheikh Ahmed was appointed Deputy Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council. Headed byHH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammad bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, the council is responsiblefor formulating strategies and policies for the emirate.Under Sheikh Ahmed’s leadership, Emirates Airline has grown dramatically since its launch in 1985 as a regionalcarrier with two leased aircraft and three destinations. Today, its 115 aircraft fly to 100 destinations in 62 countrieson six continents. An industry trailblazer and success story, Emirates in its latest financial year 2006-07 transported17.5 million passengers.The airline has outstanding orders for aircraft worth US $60 billion, which will increase its fleet to over 200 withinthe next decade. Emirates has been profitable every year of its existence except the second, operating without statesubsidies and in competition with more than 100 other airlines serving Dubai under the open-skies policy of itsgovernment. The Emirates Group, which has some 35,000 staff from 145 countries, also comprises an internationalcargo division, a full-fledged destination management and leisure division, an international ground-handler and anairline IT developer.Sheikh Ahmed’s efforts have been recognized by several organisations. Among recent accolades, he was named oneof the top tourism personalities in 2003, 2004 and 2005 by Focus, a major German business magazine. He was alsodeclared Middle East Person of the Year in 2001 by Travel Agent magazine, for his outstanding achievements inpromoting Dubai as the gateway to the Middle East; and most recently, he was presented with “Aviation Entrepreneurof the Year 2007” by Airport Journal.In 2004, Sheikh Ahmed was made a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, one of the industry's oldest and mostrespected professional associations, and he is the recipient of France’s highest award – “Commandeur de l’Ordre dela Legion d’Honneur” – the Legion of Honour – conferred during the Dubai Air Show in December 2003. Amongother achievements and merits, he received the honour for his role “both in the development of Dubai and instrengthening ties between France and the UAE, and Dubai in particular.”36