Dubai International Airport has completed 60 years since its inception and start of operation on the 30th of September 1960, continuing the path that culminated in 2014 by being ranked first in the world in the number of international travelers, a position that has been maintained for six consecutive years so far. The airport services about 1,115 billion passengers on more than 7.47 million flights that have connected more than 240 destinations in 95 countries around the world, since its opening.
On this occasion, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Airports said: “Since its inception, Dubai International Airport has been a platform, a center for communication and a catalyst for growth. He realized the tremendous potential of aviation and had the foresight to build an airport and promote an open skies policy early in the process of comprehensive development in Dubai The dynamism of this vision continued under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God preserve him, who Cement Dubai’s importance and pivotal role at the heart of the global aviation industry. “
His Highness added, “Dubai International Airport is the essence of the aviation history that we are proud of in Dubai, and it is a practical evidence that through vision, future thinking, innovation, cooperation and hard work, we can achieve great achievements. Hence our role continues to connect the world and support social and economic development in Dubai – We are also determined to continue to work in the same spirit and level of ambition over the next sixty years, to maintain the distinction we have reached and to elevate higher degrees of it, in compliance with Dubai’s goals and the vision of its wise leadership aiming to occupy the first place in the world in various fields.
60 years of achievement
The history of Dubai International Airport is full of many examples of future thinking about the importance of the aviation sector and the potential it provides to open up to the world and the need to rely on the finest technologies to serve passengers and airlines. It was the first airport in the Middle East in terms of providing bridges to transport passengers to airplanes instead of transporting them by “buses”, in addition to having the tallest and most advanced air traffic control tower at the opening of the Sheikh Rashid building in the year 2000.
In 2002, Dubai Airport confirmed its leading role in the Middle East, with the launch of the Emirates Electronic Gate service to facilitate the movement and procedures of passengers, which were later developed into smart gates at the highest level of development.
In 2008, Terminal 3, the largest building of its kind in the world, was opened. Only three years later, Concourse A, which is also the largest building of its kind in the world, was opened to accommodate the Airbus A380 aircraft; The largest aircraft of its kind in the world.
Currently, Dubai International Airport is the hub for Emirates Airlines operations; The largest international air carrier in the world, and also Dubai Duty Free, the largest duty-free market of its kind in the world. In 2014, Dubai International Airport came first in the world in terms of international passenger numbers. And in 2018, the airport welcomed its billionth passenger.
Looking forward
For his part, Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports said: “Every year brings new challenges and opportunities, and today we are working on our way to overcome the Covid-19 crisis, and this recovery is constantly progressing, as Dubai International Airport currently serves 51 percent of destinations. In 77 percent of countries it deals with 58 percent of airlines that flew through Dubai Airport before Covid-19. One of these solutions is to establish standard protocols around the world that protect the well-being of passengers and speed up the international travel recovery process, including developing a rapid test to test for the virus. COVID-19 Upon Departure. “
Griffiths added, “While we focus completely on running our business today, this has not changed our outlook on the future. In fact, this has increased our appetite and our aspiration to think of a different new approach, adopting modern technologies that would pave the way for more benefit.” Creating an efficient and sustainable travel experience. “
The CEO of Dubai Airports explained: “Dubai Airports is actively pursuing a number of initiatives to restore passenger confidence and enhance the travel experience, including innovations in airport interior design, the use of biometrics to facilitate contactless travel, and the creation of an online shopping platform, which will provide more options and convenience. For travelers. “
Paul Griffiths continued, “We will continue to work with sectors and stakeholders to enhance passenger confidence and increase the capabilities of our airport as the air traffic grows. Although we cannot predict the time it will take for the industry to fully recover, I am optimistic that there will come a time when the world will open up again and the desire will be. Travel is stronger than ever. Once that happens, Dubai airports and the entire aviation community will be ready just as we were 60 years ago.”