KHALEEJ TIMES, Tuesday, Nov 02, 2021 | Rabi Al-Awwal 26, 1443
Dubai airport to return to full capacity in two weeks: Sheikh Ahmed
Emirates:
Dubai airports will return to full capacity following the re-opening of
its last closed concourse in two weeks as the aviation industry recovers from a
turbulent spell brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, its top official says.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of the Dubai Civil Aviation
Authority (DCAA), chairman of Dubai Airports and chairman and CEO of Emirates
Group, said Dubai International Airport (DXB) will return to full capacity for
the first time since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Through strategic planning, world-class measures and advanced technology, we
have shown that we can overcome any challenge,” Sheikh Ahmed said at a press
conference on Monday to share details about forthcoming Dubai Airshow, starting
November 14.
Dubai Airports reopened Terminal 1 at Dubai International Airport in June after
a 15-month closure due to the coronavirus pandemic. Terminal 1 has an annual
passenger capacity of 18 million passengers while the airport is capable of
handling up to 100 million passengers annually.
“A pragmatic response that focused on protecting the health and well-being of
the people as a top priority while minimising the impact of the crisis on the
nation’s economy. A response that was backed by our ability to adapt quickly to
maintain our hard-earned position as one of the world’s most important aviation,
tourism and trade hubs,” Sheikh Ahmed said.
“By welcoming international leaders and experts from across the globe, we are
paving the way for new partnerships that will drive recovery and future growth,”
he added.
Before pandemic, the airport connected more than 240 destinations across six
continents on more than 100 airlines.
Incredible aviation recovery
Paul Griffiths, chief executive of Dubai Airports, expects a quick turnaround in
aviation industry as travel demand picked up following reopening of borders.
“The aviation industry may return to pre-pandemic levels before 2025 due to
incredible growth in the past few weeks.
“We may achieve full recovery before 2025. Dubai Airports is expected to exceed
its 28 million international passengers target this year,” Griffiths told Khaleej
Times at the event.
Dubai International Airport is expected to grow eight per cent to 28 million
this year on the back of the reopening of Terminal 1 on June 24 and ease in
travel restrictions after successful vaccination drive in the region. In 2020,
passenger traffic plummeted 70 per cent to 25.9 million from 86.4 million in
2019.