The CEO of Dubai Airports is optimistic in regards to the future and expects passenger traffic to rise to a record level this yr and exceed 100 million by 2027.
Paul Griffiths said the airport operator had enjoyed a really strong recovery from the pandemic, adding that town had “never been stronger than it is now”.
Dubai Airports owns and manages Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC).
An absence of aircraft capability, coupled with efforts to advertise Dubai as a refuge to draw people, in addition to “hangover” demand brought on by the pandemic, may lead to a surge in passenger numbers, Griffiths added.
“These three reasons suggest we're in for a record year – 91 million forecast at the end of 2024,” he told CNBC's “Capital Connection” on Tuesday.
“We assume that we will exceed the 100 million passenger mark by 2027. So we are very optimistic about the future.”
Dubai International Airport recorded its busiest quarter in its history this yr, welcoming over 23 million passengers – a rise of 8.4% in the primary quarter in comparison with the identical period last yr, the corporate said in a press release.
This was partly as a consequence of increased destination offerings from flagship airline Emirates and its sister budget airline Flydubai, it said.
Total passenger traffic reached 23,052,060 guests in the primary quarter and recorded the very best passenger volume in January with 7.9 million passengers.
The outstanding growth further strengthens the airport's role as a key driver of Dubai's economy and the Middle East's aviation sector.
In April, the Dubai government approved a 128 billion dirham ($35 billion) plan to construct a brand new passenger terminal on the emirate's Al Maktoum International Airport. This will make it five times larger than Dubai's most important international airport – and the biggest on the planet when accomplished.
Griffiths said the airport operator would proceed to take a position in the newest technology to enhance “the flow rate through our airport facilities” and supply passengers with a faster and more convenient experience.
“Secondly, it allows us to greatly increase the capacity of our existing infrastructure without building too much additional capacity,” he said.
image credit : www.cnbc.com