Positive Signs & Economic Recovery

Although stricken by a global credit crunch, decisions of Dubai Govt. are reposing a positive sign towards the recovery of economy. It all happened during Dubai Air Show 2011.

According to the Boeing Media Center, Emirates airline has announced an order of 50 777-300ERs with an option of 20 additional air crafts purchase order. The order valuing $ 18 Billion is the single largest commercial airplane order in Boeing’s history.  Additional option of 20 jets will make this deal totaling $ 26 Billion. Thus to Park this army of jets, Emirates do need a bit more space at DXB.

 "The 777's reliability, performance and operating economics have firmly established it as the backbone of our fleet," said His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive, Emirates Airline & Group. "We have an ambitious and strategic plan to continue growing our international network and especially increasing our long-haul, non-stop routes.  This order supports our fleet expansion and reiterates our commitment to operating a modern fleet for the benefit of our passengers and to ensure operational efficiency as well."

DXB airport is designed to receive 60 million passengers daily. It is expected that 51 million passengers will pass through DXB in 2011. Thus work is under process to increase the capacity of present airport to 90 million by 2018. Also the construction of DWC (Dubai world Central) is under way, which will guarantee the capacity of 160 million. It also plans to hold the Dubai Air show 2013 and is currently providing support to a number of cargo flights. By the end of 2020, whole operations of Emirates airlines are planned to be shifted to aforesaid destination.

On the other hand, the deadlock related to the expansion of overcrowded Heathrow is yet to be solved. The two oppositions, the conservatives and the Labours have joined their hands to oppose the construction of third runway. Any other option will take years of planning and committees.

Paul Griffiths, the chief executive of Dubai airports, is confident that Emirates, Ittihad and Qater Airways are in a strong position, to grab the market share from traditional commercial airlines. So all Dubai got to do is to expand, because the growth plans of home liners are “so audacious”.