Tag Archives: Dubai Airports

The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai has signed a cooperation agreement with Dubai Airports to enhance cooperation between the two sides, provide the best services to passengers and position Dubai Airports as a leader in offering premium services among international airports. The signing ceremony was attended by HE Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of the GDRFA, and Paul Griffiths, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Airports. HE Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri said: “The agreement will significantly support GDRFA’s strategy designed to enhance cooperation with key partners and ensure the provision of integrated and effective services to passengers at Dubai Airports.” Al Marri emphasised that GDRFA is committed to offering top-notch services by adopting the latest technologies and best international practices, adding that the partnership with Dubai Airports is a significant step towards achieving the vision of making Dubai Airports among the best in the world by enhancing the travel experience and providing a safe and seamless environment for all travellers. Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said: “This agreement marks another significant step in our ongoing efforts to solidify Dubai’s position as a world-leading aviation hub. Our partnership with GDRFA is essential for providing a seamless and efficient journey for all travellers at our airports. The agreement allows us to harness cutting-edge technology to streamline processes and further enhance operational efficiency, aligning perfectly with Dubai’s strategic aspirations for its aviation and tourism industries.” The partnership is set to upgrade the process of inquiring about registration at the smart gates via the website by providing a link on the Dubai Airports website, which would enable passengers to check their registration status in the …

Dubai Airports has implemented a groundbreaking demand planning and forecasting initiative that is transforming behind-the-scenes supply management operations. This innovative approach has enhanced service levels, streamlined inventory management, and boosted operational efficiency across the organisation, contributing to a superior experience for airport guests. Over the past year, the introduction of a sophisticated Material Requirement Planning (MRP) tool, powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning, helps the inventory team predict future spare parts consumption. With parts on hand, the team can promptly execute engineering work orders, resulting in quicker maintenance responses and fewer disruptions for airport guests. The MRP tool has improved forecast accuracy by 30%, allowing for precise inventory planning and reducing excess stock by 12%. This optimisation enhances capital utilisation and ensures that resources are available when needed. Emmanuel Augustin, VP of Supply Management at Dubai Airports said, “We leveraged AI and real-time data to streamline our inventory management, improve efficiency and enhance the quality of service we provide to our key customers, both our internal business functions and the millions of guests who travel through the airport. As the first airport in the region and the first government entity in Dubai to implement this system, it underscores our commitment to innovation and operational excellence.” Improved forecasting has led to a 24% increase in service levels, enabling faster response times for facility maintenance and enhancing the overall guest experience. The reduction of ageing work orders by 82% ensures that maintenance tasks are addressed promptly, minimising downtime and maintaining high standards of airport operations. The automation of the inventory ordering process has improved efficiency by 400%, seamlessly integrating the creation of purchase requisitions and significantly reducing manual workloads. The advanced data …

Dubai International (DXB) made a stellar start to the year by recording its busiest quarter in history, affirming its role as a global aviation hub and a key driver of Dubai’s economy and Middle East’s aviation sector. In Q1, DXB witnessed a significant surge in passenger numbers, with 23 million guests passing through its terminals, marking an 8.4% increase compared to the same period last year. This growth underscores DXB’s appeal to major markets and its contribution to Dubai’s prominence as an international destination for tourism and trade. Total passenger traffic for the quarter reached 23,052,060 guests, with January recording the highest traffic at 7.9 million guests. Paul Griffiths, CEO of DXB commented, “The robust growth trajectory at DXB continued in the first quarter of the year, with the hub recording some truly impressive numbers. Thanks in part to the proliferation of cities being added to our network by our home base carriers Emirates and flydubai, in recent months. As Dubai emerges as a global leader for attracting talent, businesses, and tourists from across the globe, our focus remains on sustaining growth momentum and enhancing the overall airport experience for every guest passing through our terminals. With a strong start to Q2 and an optimistic outlook for the rest of the year, we have revised our forecast for the year to 91 million guests, surpassing our previous annual traffic record of 89.1 million in 2018.”   Aviation’s Contribution to Dubai’s Economy DXB drives Dubai’s economic growth and tourism, with the city registering a 3.3% increase in real gross domestic product (GDP) valued at approximately AED 307.9 billion. The airport’s efficient handling of ever-increasing passenger traffic and high cargo volumes supports the …

Dubai Airports and Dubai Autism Centre (DAC) joined hands to mark World Autism Day with a special sunflower planting ceremony. The event, held at DAC’s gardens, aimed to raise awareness about autism and highlight Dubai Airports ongoing efforts, together with its strategic partners, to create a smooth and accessible travel experience for all guests travelling through Dubai International (DXB). This initiative also underscores their support for Dubai’s journey towards becoming an Autism-friendly destination. Majed Al Joker, Chief Operating Officer of Dubai Airports, said: “We’re committed to creating an inclusive journey for every single guest, because we recognise that we all experience the world differently. Through dedicated routes, the ongoing development of new products and services, and our collaboration with Dubai Autism Centre, we’re actively working to shape a more accessible and welcoming airport experience for all”. Al Joker added: “This initiative aligns with Dubai Airports’ dedication to supporting UAE Vision 2021 and Dubai Plan 2021, which aim to establish the Emirate as the world’s leading disability-friendly city”. DXB has implemented a range of initiatives for People of Determination with visible and non-visible disabilities. These initiatives include a pre-travel planner and a dedicated accessible route through the airport. This prioritised route facilitates a smoother journey through check-in, passport control, security checkpoint, and boarding for guests wearing the internationally recognised sunflower lanyard. Mohammed Al Emadi, Director General of the Dubai Autism Centre, said: “We would like to thank Dubai Airports for joining our kids in a special sunflower planting event to mark World Autism Day. Planting sunflowers goes beyond raising awareness for autism; it’s a powerful symbol of our collective effort to build an inclusive community that embraces and empowers individuals with autism.” …

With 8.9 million passengers in the first nine months of the year, India was DXB’s top country destination in terms of traffic volume, followed by Saudi Arabia with 4.8 million passengers, and the UK (4.4 million passengers). Other country destinations of note include Pakistan with 3.1 million passengers, the US (2.7 million) and Russia (1.8 million). The top cities by traffic were London (2.7 million passengers) and Riyadh (1.9 million), closely followed by Mumbai (1.8 million) and Jeddah (1.7 million passengers). Propelled by strong growth throughout the first three quarters of the year and anticipation of an exceptional surge in guest numbers in the final quarter. Dubai Airports is forecasting annual passenger traffic at Dubai International (DXB) to reach 86.8 million – surpassing 2019 traffic. “We’re thrilled but not entirely surprised that DXB is all set to surpass the pre-pandemic milestone well ahead of our initial projections by almost a year. Our outlook for the remainder of this year and the next remains optimistic. Teaming up with our strategic partners, we’re ready for the challenge to continue to exceed guest satisfaction amidst the continuous surge in traffic,” said Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports.

Dubai Airports signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dubai Autism Center (DAC) to further elevate the travel experience at DXB by making it more accessible and inclusive for People of Determination (POD) with hidden disabilities. The MoU aligns with Dubai Airports’ commitment to support UAE Vision 2021 and Dubai Plan 2021 for the Emirate to be the world’s leading disability-friendly city. Building on the success of the ‘We all meet the world differently’ programme launched last year, Dubai Airports continues its efforts to make travelling easier for passengers with hidden disabilities at both Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central (DWC). Essa Al Shamsi, SVP of Terminal Operations at Dubai Airports, said: “We understand the importance of bridging gaps in service levels and enhancing facilities that guests with disabilities require to enjoy their journey to their fullest, and we’re committed to continuously improving to meet and exceed guest expectations. Our partnership with the Dubai Autism Center not only demonstrates our efforts to provide an exceptional travel experience for all guests but also underscores our dedication to creating an airport environment where everyone can feel comfortable and supported.” Mohammed Al Emadi, Director General of the Dubai Autism Center said, “We are proud that the cooperation between the Center and Dubai Airports over more than a year has yielded fruit by creating an autism-friendly travel experience at one of the world’s most prominent airport hubs.” Al Emadi expressed his appreciation towards Dubai Airports and their tireless efforts to enhance the travel experience for people of determination, from the services they seek at the airport to implementing an environment that meets their needs as fully as others, in line with the vision of …

Dubai International (DXB) has received an accreditation from the Airports Council International (ACI) under its Accessibility Enhancement Accreditation Programme, a first-of-its-kind initiative that recognises global airports’ commitment to accessible travel operations. The certification acknowledges DXB’s ongoing prioritisation of a safe and inclusive airport experience for passengers with both physical and hidden disabilities. This aligns with the 2019 ACI World General Assembly Resolution and United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of Persons, which stipulates that all persons with all types of disabilities must enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms. Through the launch of a phased, two-year plan that addresses and elevates the travel experience for People of Determination (POD), DXB has successfully proven its ability to provide an accessible and inclusive airport experience for passengers, airport workers, visitors and the elderly. This includes launching a travel planner for pre-travel preparation, designing an Autism Friendly Route, and implementing a large-scale training programme. Under the banner of ‘We all meet the world differently’, DXB’s innovative POD initiative contributes to Dubai’s vision of becoming the world’s leading disability-friendly city and drives regional and international awareness of travellers with physical and hidden disabilities. Majed Al Joker, Chief Operating Officer, said: “Dubai Airports remains committed to creating an inclusive airport experience and we’re working with stakeholders to ensure we continue to develop services and facilities that travellers with disabilities require to make their travel to Dubai comfortable. Our goal is to see the needs of POD met at every touchpoint of the journey – especially those with hidden disabilities such as autism, chronic fatigue, and pain. This prestigious ACI accreditation is a testament to our success so far and reaffirms our efforts as we continue …

The world’s busiest international airport will get even busier in the coming weeks as the UAE’s summer school break coincides with the six-day long Eid Al Adha holidays starting this weekend. According to Dubai Airports, Dubai International (DXB) will welcome an estimated 3.5 million guests through its doors between June 20 and July 3, with average total daily traffic reaching 252,00. The hub is preparing for a surge in departures, with more than a quarter of a million in outbound traffic from June 23 to 25. Saturday, June 24 is forecast to be exceptionally busy with a total departure load of nearly 100,000 passengers across DXB. The arrival peak at the end of the Eid Al Adha holiday is anticipated to be even busier with total daily traffic expected to surpass a record breaking 305,000 passengers on July 2. “Dubai International’s recovery has been spectacular this year as evidenced by the impressive traffic growth in the first quarter. As a result, the seasonal peaks this year are expected to be the busiest since 2019, and we are preparing ourselves accordingly. Teams across DXB, representing terminal operations, guest experience, control authorities including Dubai Police, airlines, ground handling, baggage operations, car parks, and multiple commercial and service partners, are all working in perfect sync to maintain the high quality of service that international travellers have to come to expect of Dubai,” said Essa Al Shamsi, Senior Vice President of Terminal Operations at Dubai Airports. Backed by DXB’s state-of-the-art airport operations control centre, which not only monitors operations inside the terminals and on the airfield in real time but also helps predict and address operational situations before they occur, the teams at the …

In support of the UAE Government’s NAFIS Programme and its empowerment of Emiratis in the private sector, Dubai Airports signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Enova, a joint venture between Majid Al Futtaim and Veolia, to boost Emiratisation in Enova’s provision of Facilities Management Services. The agreement aligns with the UAE Cabinet’s goal of increasing Emiratisation by two per cent annually and underwrites Dubai Airport’s commitment to meeting – and exceeding – national Emiratisation targets from 2023 to 2026, and beyond through its strategic private sector partnerships. The agreement was recently signed by Meshari Al Bannai, Executive Vice President of Human Resources Development, Dubai Airports and Renaud Capris, Chief Executive Officer, Enova, in the presence of several senior leaders – including Majed Al Joker, Chief Operating Officer, and Omar Binadai, EVP Infrastructure of Dubai Airports, respectively, as well as Khalifa Bin Braik Chief Executive Officer, Majid Al Futtaim Asset Management Business and Fatima Alloghani, Emiratisation Director, Majid Al Futtaim. The partnership will see Enova’s proposed Emiratisation Plan – which aims to increase Emiratisation by 15 per cent by 2025 onwards – activated over the course of the contract. Enova’s dedication to targeting 15 per cent Emiratisation during the next three years underpins Majid Al Futtaim’s initiative and the UAE Government’s NAFIS Programme and is actively contributing to the nation’s economic growth and development journey. To meet the targets outlined in the MoU, Dubai Airports and Enova will allocate positions to graduate trainees, fresh graduates, and experienced professionals alike, with technical, administrative, and supervisory roles serving as key areas of professional development. The recruitment plan will roll out in phases, ensuring that UAE nationals receive high-quality, on-the-job training necessary to …

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, has launched Dubai Team for Accessible Travel and Tourism as part of the endeavours to consolidate the emirate’s global standing as round-the-year destination accessible to all. He unveiled the decision during a meeting he organised of senior officials in both government agencies and private organisations dealing with travel and tourism businesses. His Excellency Jamal Al Hai, Deputy CEO at Dubai Airports and Team Leader, expressed deep appreciation for the support provided by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed to the travel and tourism industry in Dubai. He said: “Accessible tourism is an important sector for our national economy as well as helps promote the rights of People of Determination to move around and travel without hassles and obstacles. The Dubai team will work to offer a good image of the UAE to the world as a pioneering tourism with hospitality services for all visitors being of the best in class.” The senior Emirati official called upon the team members, each expert in their fields, to jointly work to advice on improvements at our airports, airlines, hotels, shopping centres and other touristic places to provide the best services for tourists with disabilities in the emirate. He explained: “The goal behind establishing the team is to put the authorities from the public and private sectors under one roof, to discuss needed to permanently improve facilities and services for disabled tourists. We will be working on the agenda through having brainstorming sessions, exchanging opinions and identifying the achievements of each agency representing a field.” The Team will …