Paul Griffiths, the chief of Dubai airports (DXB), anticipates a future surge in the popularity of smaller, more fuel-efficient aircraft, leading to increased flight frequency and enhanced connectivity.
This forecast is one of the driving factors behind the extensive scale of the upcoming Al Maktoum airport, boasting a colossal 400 gates.
New Airport in Dubai Expects 400 Million Passengers
Griffiths articulated these insights during a session at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) on Tuesday, underscoring the meticulous planning behind the design of the new Dh128-billion passenger terminal, slated to be one of the world’s largest upon completion.
“Aircraft technology is evolving rapidly,” he remarked. “Many of the aircraft arriving at our airports are narrow-bodied, fuel-efficient, and possess greater capabilities. These aircraft will facilitate direct connections between numerous regional airports and major hubs like Dubai in the coming years, potentially linking us to over 300 cities. In preparation for this paradigm shift,it is imperative to construct an airport equipped with numerous gates to accommodate a fleet of smaller-capacity aircraft. We have conducted extensive mathematical analyses to determine the requisite number of gates and runways.”
Griffiths further elucidated that the airport’s growth trajectory aligns with projected expectations. “If we project our growth trajectory, 17 years ago, when I first joined Dubai Airport, we served 30 million passengers,” he noted.
Today, that figure stands at 90 million passengers. Looking ahead another 15 or 20 years, we anticipate reaching the capacity of 260 million passengers, for which the new airport is designed.”
He commended Dubai’s forward-thinking approach in strategizing for a new airport, citing it as a testament to the visionary leadership of the Dubai government. “This decision exemplifies the foresight of the Dubai government,” he remarked.
“They recognize the impending need, understanding that DXB airport, which holds a special place in all our hearts, will eventually reach its maximum capacity. Contrastingly, in the UK, the expansion of Heathrow has been postponed for 15 years, with no resolution in sight. Here in Dubai, a proactive decision has been made well in advance, providing a clear path forward before the necessity arises.”
Best Talent for Aviation is in Dubai
Reflecting on past achievements, he reminisced about a significant milestone over a decade ago when Dubai Airport surpassed Heathrow to become the world’s number-one international traffic airport. “It was more than ten years ago when we celebrated this feat with cupcakes bearing the inscription ‘Dubai No. 1’,” he recalled.
“Upon surpassing Heathrow, I kept a box of those cupcakes and sent it to the CEO of Heathrow Airport. It was a profoundly gratifying moment.”
He underscored the cohesive teamwork culture prevalent in Dubai, emphasizing that his most significant legacy is his team. “There’s a unified ‘one-team’ mindset among my colleagues here,” he explained.
“I take immense pride in the fact that about 70 percent of my management team comprises talented Emiratis who were nurtured and trained locally. The remarkable growth aside, my proudest achievement is fostering local talent to build and sustain an efficient airport. When I initially joined, we had around 500 employees; today, we boast a workforce of 1,700.”
Source: aviationa2z