Dubai Chamber study reveals UAE aviation as a global competitor

Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) has completed a study of the UAE aviation industry, which aimed to "look at the progress process of the UAE aviation sector and to investigate the impetus factor of growth on the supply side".

Key findings of the study include:[more]

• Capacity Building and Fleet Expansion: on the supply side, the main driver of growth in UAE aviation has been the enormous expansion of capabilities, in terms of airport infrastructure and aircraft. Almost all major UAE airports aer currently undergoing extensive expansion, and in addition to this airport expansion, major operators, including Etihad and Emirates, have placed large orders for passenger and cargo aircraft. DCCI expects this modernisation of both airports and aircraft to result in significant efficiency gains which should further lower ticket prices for UAE airline and encourage traffic to/via the country;
• Network Expansion: The ongoing network expansion of the country's main international airlines, Etihad, Emirates and flyDubai, means that increasingly more people in all corners of the world are able to select Emirati airlines and fly to/via the UAE;
• Airports Renovation and Expansion: Emirati airports at the forefront of continuous upgrade and renovation. The UAE has six international airport, and according to Business International Monitor, 2010, Abu Dhabi International Airport has a USD8.6 billion redevelopment plan, which will increase the airport's capacity to 20 million people p/a. Sharjah Airport Authority has stated that the tender for the construction of the second runway will be offered soon, and construction is expected to begin in 2010 and to be completed by 2012. Importantly, the USD33 billion Dubai World Central Airport is the country's largest aviation project. The new airport will feature a multi-transport mode logistics hub, with five runways and a capacity for 120 million passengers p/a and 12 million tons of cargo p/a. Dubai World Central will be the world's largest airport.