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Dubai eyes 665,000 aircraft movements’ target by 2020

The Dubai is all set to achieve 665,000 aircraft movements’ target by 2020 and expects nearly nine per cent growth in 2013 over 2012, according to a top government official.

Travellers are seen at the Emirates terminal at Dubai International Airport. Dubai International, already the world’s second busiest airport for international passengers, is projected to handle 65 million passengers this year. — Reuters

The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) is projecting 375,000 aircraft movement for the Dubai International Airport and Dubai World Central (DWC) in 2013, compared to 344,656 in 2012. In the first half of 2013, the aircraft movement increased by 7.4 per cent compared with the corresponding period last year.

The growth rate of aircraft movement clearly suggests that Dubai International airport and DWC are on a curve of exponential growth that will see a massive surge in aircraft movements, DCAA director general Mohammed Ahli, said in the latest issue of the Authority’s publication Via Dubai.

The DCAA aims to see passenger aircraft movement reaching 355,000 this year and 385,000 and 416,650, respectively in 2014 and 2015. The target for cargo aircraft movement has been fixed at 28,250 this year and 31,500 in 2014 and 35,000 in 2015.

Dubai International, already the world’s second busiest airport for international passengers, is projected to handle 65 million passengers this year — it posted the highest number of passengers 32.6 million — in a six month period in the history of the airport, which opened in September 1960.

The authority wants to see 20 new destinations from DIA this year, 22 next years and 24 in the following year. The total number of new scheduled airlines and destinations achieved in 2012 was 12 and 20, respectively, which are above the set targets by DCAA for that year – 8 and 13 respectively. Also, the 2012 figure represents an increase of 100 per cent and 185 per cent respectively, as compared to 2011. Dubai International Airport serves more than 145 airlines flying to more than 260 destinations across six continents.

Over the next three years, the DCAA aims to work on several new initiatives including Airspace Development Programme, E-Complaint and E-Suggestion System, Aviation Consumer Protection Programme and Travel Agency Audit Programmes.

Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said: “The strategic projects will eventually lead us to more success and achieve our goals in the challenging race. Dubai International Airport had the stellar performance in the first half of 2013. The results are beneficial to one and all and could not have been achieved without the consistent efforts of all those working in the civil aviation sector in the Emirate of Dubai.”

Aviation’s contribution to Dubai’s GDP is expected to reach Dh165 billion, which is equivalent to 32 per cent, up from 28 per cent recorded in 2011.

In the same issue, Colm McLouglin, Executive Chairman of Dubai Duty Free (DDF) revealed that the revenues of the world’s biggest airport retail operations would reach $3 billion by 2020. In its history, DDF has never had a year where sales haven’t increased. Even in 2009 — the year of global recession — sales increased by three per cent.

DDF’s last year turnover was $1.6 billion and this year it expects sales of Dh6.6 billion. He disclosed that DDF will have a 2,242 square metre facility at the DWC which is due to commence passenger operations from October 27 this year.

— abdulbasit@khaleejtimes.com