Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman & CEO, Emirates Airline & Group • Interview

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum,

CHAIRMAN & CEO, EMIRATES AIRLINE & GROUP What are Emirates' core values, and how do they align with those of Dubai?

Dubai’s incredible rise as a vibrant, thriving global city and Emirates’ growth have always gone hand in hand. Emirates’ growth as the world’s largest international airline is due to a combination of factors: Dubai’s visionary leadership and forward-looking ethos, entrepreneurial spirit, and the government’s ability to successfully tap into the city’s geocentric location to connect people and economies. Dubai’s aviation ecosystem, which is at the heart of the city’s economy, is not only an important driver of growth in its own right, but also underpins growth in other strategic sectors by providing essential connectivity and much needed air lift. Emirates has helped rally tourism and link trade opportunities for Dubai to become a global hub by serving onethird of the world’s population within a four-hour flying radius, two-thirds of the world’s population within an eighthour flying radius, and almost 90% of the world’s population with non-stop flights using the latest ultra-long-range aircraft. Emirates will continue to drive growth and further elevate Dubai’s status as a global center for trade, tourism, and commerce. The next chapter of Dubai’s future is firmly focused on harnessing science, technology, and innovation to steer it toward a sustainable future. Emirates will continue playing a key role in supporting Dubai’s goals by developing transformational solutions to help reshape the future of aviation and ensure the airline keeps a leading role in the industry.

“The future of this industry will be defined by its ability to successfully navigate geopolitical and economic headwinds, and how fast it adopts innovation and new technologies.”

What synergies will Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) bring to your operations?

Our fundamentals as an airline are grounded in optimally connecting people and cargo from all corners of the globe through our home and hub in Dubai. Between DXB and DWC, we operate two cargo hubs capable of handling close to 3 million tons of cargo a year. Emirates Skycargo’s fleet of 49 trucks link cargo through a bonded corridor between the two airports integrating them into a single hub, and allow efficient connection timings between cargo arrival at one airport and departure at another on a 24/7 basis. On the passenger side and looking further afield, we will unlock further growth once the expansion of DWC is adequately developed to cater to Emirates operations, which we envisage will happen at the end of the next decade. Once completed, DWC will build on the latest passenger experience and cutting-edge aviation technologies.

What are your strategies going forward in terms of opening new markets and acquiring new aircrafts?

In 2018, we launched four new passenger points including Santiago de Chile, London Stansted, Edinburgh, and Bali-Auckland. We also layered on frequencies to 20 cities and upgraded capacity on eight cities. In 2019, we launched a linked route between Bangkok and Phnom Penh, a new service to Porto, as well as Mexico City via Barcelona. On the fleet front, we will begin receiving our Boeing 777X aircraft in the next two years. The Boeing 777X will offer us a flying range with more passenger capacity, helping to power our network growth. It will also offer enhanced aerodynamics, less weight, and up to 18% more fuel efficiency.

Much has changed in commercial aviation over the last 20 years, and the future of this industry will be defined by its ability to successfully navigate geopolitical and economic headwinds, and how fast it adopts innovation and new technologies, all while capitalizing on the significant passenger demand, which is shifting east. Airlines that lag behind will leave the door open for more agile competitors to take their market share. In the coming years, Emirates will scale up its operations to secure a stronger footing across new markets. We will operate as a leaner, more agile organization through utilizing cutting-edge technology to make the on ground and onboard journeys more efficient and seamless. ✖

How is DACC building aviation expertise and driving the sector to new heights?

Our strategy stems from the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to make Dubai the aviation capital of the world. With this in mind, we are building an aviation ecosystem that includes airports, aviation-related businesses, and learning institutions. When it comes to aviation-related businesses, there are many types of services that support general aviation such as maintenance, repair, and overhaul services (MROs). Cargo and catering services are included in this segment, and Emirates Skycargo and Emirates Catering are two companies that have now moved to Dubai South. When DACC first opened for business, it aimed at attracting the world’s major aviation companies, and the majority have set up their business operations here. However, we believe SMEs play an essential role in providing a holistic range of services for the aerospace industry. All these businesses require talent; therefore, we have partnered with the University of South Wales, which has set up a campus here to provide training dedicated only to aviation. In addition, Dubai South hosts the Dubai Air Show, which continues to witness growth. When it kicked off, it become the largest air show in size with the highest number of exhibitors and visitors so far, and we are building on that success.

How is DACC pioneering innovation in the aviation sector?

Since the industry is involved in a chain of processes, we are digitally connecting the entire cycle. Going digital means access to facts and data that are key to good decision making for any business. Another aspect is tapping innovation and technology to advance Dubai’s aviation ecosystem, and we have been working with 3D companies to explore the possibilities of developing spare parts for airplanes.

We are taking measures to generate alternative sources of energy. However, energy is only one aspect of our sustainability efforts. For example, Dubai South is the first community in the Emirate to bring an electric bus model made in Australia. This is part of a larger plan to connect the whole of Dubai South through a form of light rail or electric bus system. From a food security perspective, we are implementing the latest innovation in modern farming to build one of the largest vertical farms and establish a JV for land-based fish farming. These are just some of the plans and initiatives in the pipeline.

What does Dubai South mean for the Emirate, and what is the vision for leveraging the legacy of Expo 2020?

It is of great pride that Expo 2020 is taking place in Dubai South. Once Expo 2020 officially opens to the world, our exhibit terminal can provide a platform to transport people, not to mention the key role of Al Maktoum International Airport for travelers and visitors coming for the Expo. We are confident that there will be a spillover of visits to Dubai South for businesses and visitors to witness firsthand what we do here. In terms of aviation, we are building extensively to promote Dubai as a global capital for aviation as we are in the process of building the largest airport in the world. In addition to that is the Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub, which provides the platform for many other aspects of aviation. We are proactively gaining ground as a global e-commerce hub, having brought Amazon to Dubai South. We are confident that all the activities that will transpire during Expo 2020 will bring the biggest benefits to Dubai South, a futuristic community that will improve Dubai’s status among the best and most sustainable places in the world to visit, work, and live in. ✖