The rise of Dubai to become the global hub aviation is incredible. In 1960, Dubai was a small city inhabited by 25 000 people, with one runway and one hotel. Today it is a global business center and possibly the aviation capital of the world.
The rise of Dubai as a gleaming aviation hub is inspiring. With more than 1100 international flights every day (pre-covid), its growth has been short of astounding. Just 60 years ago, Dubai was home to a mere unassuming airport with a few hangars and an asphalt runway. Positioning Dubai as a layover for international flights between Asia and Europe in the 1990’s was sheer genius. This became a catalyst for growth that has seen Dubai become an economic and tourism hub.
In 2013 Dubai handled 66.4 million passengers and was the seventh busiest airport in the world. Less than ten years later, Dubai is now one of the busiest airports in the world ahead of London Heathrow, Los Angeles and Tokyo. To top it up, more than 99% of Dubai traffic is international, making it the busiest airport for international travelers. The airport handles almost 90 million passengers each year, with only 1 million being local travelers. Its capacity is set to increase to 120 million passengers as the airport continues to grow.
The impact of 90 million international passengers and visitors on an economy is incredible. A report by Oxford Economics details the contribution of aviation and its impact on the Dubai economy. The report estimated that aviation and tourism would contribute $53 billion, to Dubai’s economy in 2020, equivalent to 37.5$ of its GDP. The industry would support over 750 000 Dubai based jobs. While covid has put a bit of a dent on those predictions, the growth of aviation is expected well into the future. Further ahead into the future, Dubai’s aviation industry is expected to grow to $88.1 billion and will support almost 1.2 million jobs.
A quick study of Dubai’s history shows that the Emiratis had a great vision for their city. They positioned themselves strategically and took advantage of the boom in air travel. Aviation has become a pillar upon which the success of Dubai lies. In his 2030 strategy, Sheikh Mohammed details his plans to elevate Dubai to become a global center for knowledge-based, sustainable and innovation-focused businesses. The future of Dubai is looking good and based on previous successes, it is fair to assume that the Emiratis will achieve their goals.
CONCLUSION
The growth of Dubai as an economic and business center shows that aviation can be a catalyst for growth. Granted, the Emiratis have the financial means to make this happen, but their vision and laser focus to build a powerhouse of a nation is inspiring. The Emiratis have embraced aviation and harnessed it to bring about strong economic growth that has reached all sectors of their economy. I believe that this kind of exponential growth and success be replicated anywhere. A strong vision and follow through can bring about such awe-inspiring growth.
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