Dubai International Airport is entering its 60th year today, with several achievements in the global aviation industry. The first regular commercial flight to Dubai started off the current golf course near the Deira City Center Shopping Mall in October 1937, but Dubai became the first aviation capital The world began with the opening of its airport on September 30, 1960, which after 54 years was able to remove his counterpart «London Heathrow» from the first place in the number of international passengers in 2014, for the first time in history, after the British airport has been at the forefront since the beginning of air transport activity In the world.
Since the signing of the first open skies agreement in July 1937 between the late Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum Al Maktoum and the United Kingdom, Dubai has continued its efforts through the policy of commercial openness to set plans and objectives that enabled it to build attractive facilities and legislative environment that paved the way for building bridges with the outside world, and achieve its ambitions With the opening of the airport, Dubai emerged from a narrow geography to write a new history in the aviation sector.
Strategic decision
Mohammed Abdullah Ahli, Director General of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, said: “One of the most remarkable achievements in Dubai's history was achieved with the opening of its international airport in 1960, which later contributed to its transformation into one of the most connected cities in the world.” The airport has enabled the emirate to add a new dimension to its development process, especially after the air port met the approval of traders and international companies in the beginning.
Ahli added that the economic and urban growth in the emirate during 1964 contributed to the influx of investments, which reflected a significant increase in the movement of passengers through the airport, and to increase its capacity during the following year was completed the construction of the new runway built from asphalt, rather than «compact sand runway» , The airport is ready to receive the largest aircraft models. Equipped with night lighting and sophisticated radar, the airport began in 1966 to receive scheduled flights from Arab and international capitals.
In 1969, the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum took a strategic decision to establish a new terminal for Dubai Airport near the airport. The new design included a three-storey modern building and a control tower, as well as aircraft parking and management offices. In 1970, Dubai International recorded the highest growth in its history at 66%, with the number of passengers rising to more than 524,000 compared to 315,000 in 1960.
Projects and expansions
Ahli said that Dubai has always sought to transform challenges into growth opportunities in light of the goals it has set to strengthen its position on the air transport map, pointing out that the growth of Dubai's population in light of large development projects led to high demand for goods, which increased the volume of shipping The airport, which later witnessed the completion of new expansions, included the construction of a passenger terminal and the construction of new facilities to receive cargo aircraft.
Ahli stressed that «open skies policy without restrictions played a prominent role in strengthening the status of Dubai as a hub for air transport between the West and East», pointing out that «the late Sheikh Rashid in 1977 formed a special committee chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to oversee the Development and management of the airport The facilities and construction of modern facilities make Dubai the ideal choice for international carriers, where the number of passengers at the airport reached two million and 357 thousand and 733 passengers in 1979 ».
Steady growth
Jamal Al Hai, Vice President, Dubai Airports, said that the new facilities and expansion of the airport under the open skies policy played a prominent role and contributed to the consolidation of gains at the regional and international levels. 1937 Imperial Airways is allowed to land at Dubai Creek, and the emirate continued to focus on this policy to attract more companies, reflecting a steady growth in passenger numbers.
Silk road
He added that «since the decision to open its first airport, Dubai has continued to implement a series of projects to expand and strengthen the status of the airport, which later turned into the largest air transport port in the world, Dubai Airport is one of the most prominent stories that contributed to the emirate on the global map For the most prominent and attractive cities ».
He pointed out that «the landing of the first aircraft on the runway, was the first step towards its throne on the throne of international airports, to become a road for air silk between the West and East», pointing out that «Dubai began early negotiation with various air carriers and meet their needs to run flights from the emirate And to it, and was able in a short time to attract international companies with a great reputation ».
He added that Dubai completed 26 development projects for its airport between 1980 and 1990 to keep pace with growth. ».
He continued: «For the first time in its history, (Dubai International) in 1997 entered the club of major airports, ranking sixth in the list of the 10 fastest growing airports in the world, an average of 14%, surpassing major international airports in Europe and Asia».
“Between 1980 and 2010, Dubai's air transport sector witnessed a number of developments that have driven growth to unprecedented levels. On October 25, 1985, Emirates launched its first airline with two aircraft, two chartered aircraft. Boeing 737 and Airbus B4 300 to Karachi, Pakistan.
He pointed out that «the period between 2000 and 2010 is the most important stage in the history of civil aviation in Dubai, due to the achievements recorded by the airport, despite the fierce competition, crises and difficult challenges faced by aviation, has achieved many achievements, including the high number of airport users "About 10,000 passengers in 1960 to 47.2 million in 2010."
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Ahmed bin Saeed: We are committed to providing an unparalleled experience for every visitor to Dubai or traveling through
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports Corporation and Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Airline and Group said: “The aviation sector plays a major role in our national economy and the GDP of the country. "Its vital role in the prosperity of our country."
He added that the Dubai International Airport has been a milestone in Dubai's history since its inauguration on September 30, 1960, paving the way for building bridges with the outside world and achieving its ambitions towards the world. GDP over the next few years.
We are committed to excellence and to delivering an unparalleled experience to everyone who comes to Dubai or even travels through it, '' he said, adding that this sector will continue to grow further as the economy of Dubai and the UAE continues to diversify.
`` All this growth brings us greater responsibility and creates greater challenges and opportunities that we are investing to serve the aviation sector in the UAE and the world.We are confident that with this stimulus, our achievements will surpass the great goals that we have set to lead the way.