Tourexpi
Emirates
is the world’s largest and most profitable all-international airline, and dnata
is one of the biggest providers of air transport related services. With
operations spanning six continents, we are an influential force in global air
transport.
Our
meteoric rise is no accident. What we have is the result of a brilliant
masterplan, architected and driven by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid
Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai.
How
Sheikh Mohammed started Emirates with US$10 million seed capital is legendary.
His marching orders to the small team tasked with setting up the airline back
in 1985 were crystal clear – look good, be good, stand on your own feet, and
don’t expect protection or subsidies.
The
Emirates management team has always kept those words close to our hearts.
Emirates won global attention and brought the world to Dubai by being the best
there is. In turn, Dubai’s successful economic diversification initiatives and
growth drove international visitation and increased demand for Emirates’
services. In short, Emirates and Dubai propel each other to greater heights.
39
years and heaps of international accolades later, we’re proud to have delivered
billions in dividends to our owners, and billions more in total economic impact
to Dubai.
According
to the latest report by Oxford Economics, aviation contributed 27% to Dubai’s
GDP in 2023, generating AED 137 billion in gross value added (GVA). Of that
figure, the Emirates Group’s core impact was AED 75 billion – representing 15%
of Dubai’s GDP. This value comprises the direct impact of our business
operations, the indirect impact generated through our myriad of suppliers and
partners in the aviation ecosystem, and the induced impact from the goods and
services consumed by our 81,000-strong workforce and their dependents in the
UAE.
Aviation
is a strategic enabler for Dubai and vital to the city’s ambition to become a
top global destination for tourism, commerce, and investments. In 2023, Dubai
welcomed over 17 million visitors, and Emirates carried 54% of all
international visitors who travelled to Dubai by air, generating a further GVA
of AED 23 billion in aviation-supported tourism impact.
This
means Emirates’ total economic contribution in 2023 was AED 98 billion in GVA,
or a whopping 19% of Dubai’s Gross Domestic Product.
Looking
ahead, Oxford Economics forecasts that Emirates Group’s contribution to Dubai’s
economy will reach AED 144 billion, representing 24% of Dubai’s projected GDP
in 2030.
These
figures don’t even account for the massive new Al Maktoum International airport
which will be the world’s largest when complete, and Emirates’ new home from
the mid-2030s onwards. The new airfield and supporting aviation infrastructure
around Dubai World Central will unlock capacity for the Emirates Group’s
continued growth trajectory. Crucially, it will enable us to meet travel demand
to Dubai and across our network, and power the next phase of Dubai’s
growth.
Aviation
itself is an ecosystem, requiring the right policies and private-public sector
co-operation to thrive. A thriving aviation ecosystem is essential for
healthy economies. Dubai grasped this early, and it has been spot-on with its
policies and investments, thanks to leaders who look at the global horizon
rather than take a narrow and short-term view. That is why Dubai is now reaping
the fruits of its strategy, worth AED 137 billion in GVA last year.
I
wish more cities would emulate Dubai in giving aviation the recognition and
support it deserves. And I think it’s important to note that Dubai’s aviation
success isn’t just a story for the city.
What
we’ve achieved here is also relevant in the broader world economy. Our aviation
sector has helped drive innovation through our unique business models that
demand new types of aircraft, and the latest products, technologies, and
services. We’ve helped bring and build aviation expertise in the region which
has led to a blossoming aviation scene in other markets around us. We’ve built
air transport capabilities that have changed how people and goods move across
the world. And all of this generates jobs, and delivers value to consumers,
exporters, businesses, and communities.
The
Emirates Group has always been part of a bigger picture, which is the vision
for Dubai, and we’re proud to play our role. Our success delivers significant
economic and social benefits to all the communities we serve, but nowhere more
than in our home base, Dubai.
It
would have been impossible to achieve what we have, without the support of our
customers, employees, partners, and above all, our leaders. There is more to be
done, and the Emirates Group is excited and ready for the future.
Image Credit: © Ales Photography FZ LLE
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