Transport
From The Report: Dubai 2013
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The combination of Dubai’s central location and advanced infrastructure have attracted trade operators from around the world, and the emirate continues its legacy as a shipping point between East and West. In 2011 transportation, along with logistics, tourism and trade, accounted for 60% of Dubai’s GDP, the result of a number of recent investments. Authorities have initiated a $523m plan to build a series of interchanges and bridges to help increase traffic flow on Al Khail Road, one of the emirate’s most congested highways, while plans to increase aviation capacity should have a number of positive knock-on effects for other projects, facilities and aviation-related service providers. With major developments such as these – and growing trade volumes to support it – Dubai’s transport sector is set to be on steady footing in coming years. This chapter includes interviews with Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman and Executive Director, Roads and Transport Authority; Mohammed Ahli, Director-General, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority; Tim Clark, President, Emirates; Paul Griffiths, CEO, Dubai Airports; and Jamal bin Thaniah, Vice-Chairman, DP World.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Broader horizons: Continuing investments look set to help support growth in land, sea and air transport
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Using a combination of central location and advanced infrastructure to attract trade operators from around the world, Dubai has successfully carried on its legacy as an shipping point between East and West. After the discovery of oil in 1966, the emirate benefitted from increased revenues, which authorities used to invest in upgrades to the transport infrastructure. This led to the establishment of many highways, Port Rashid, Jebel Ali Port and Dubai International Airport. These investments…

Analysis

Better together: Changes are under way in transit system privatisation for rail and road
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If all goes according to the transport authorities’ plan, by 2030 30% of trips taken in the emirate will be handled by public transit – more than triple the 9.5% for recorded in mid-2011. Owned and operated by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Dubai’s public transit system includes local buses, inter-city buses, marine transport and a two-line metro. ON TRACK: The relatively new Dubai Metro has offered a healthy fillip to RTA’s efforts. The Red Line, during its first two years…

Interview

OBG talks to Mohammed Ahli, Director-General, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA)
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Interview: Mohammed Ahli What role does the aviation industry play in the wider economy of the emirate? MOHAMMED AHLI: The aviation industry is a crucial aspect of Dubai’s economy. In 2011 the aviation industry as a whole employed over 250,000 people and contributed approximately 28% of GDP, while generating $22bn worth of revenue. As a result, companies within the industry are expanding rapidly. Emirates Airlines has placed an order for 90 A380s and is adding two aircrafts weekly to its fleet.…

Interview

A paramount advantage: OBG talks to Tim Clark, President, Emirates
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Interview: Tim Clark How can Dubai further enhance its position as a hub for passenger traffic and cargo transhipment? TIM CLARK: Dubai has implemented a number of measures to ensure that it remains a preeminent global and regional hub for passenger and cargo transhipment. Our aim is to support Dubai’s ambition of becoming the largest international air hub in the world by 2018. I am confident that the existing airport can be adapted to accommodate the vast number and size of airliners that Emirates…

Analysis

Spreading its wings: Higher passenger numbers lead to expansion plans and a new airport
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For much of recent history, the emirate’s position has made it a hub for air travel. The city’s aviation history stretches as far back as 1937, when Dubai reached an agreement with the British government allowing Imperial Airways to land flying boats on the Dubai Creek in between buoys. The British carrier used the location for important flight routes, such as London-Bombay. In 1959 the emirate built Dubai International (DXB), a small airport located 4 km into the desert on what was then…

Interview

OBG talks to Paul Griffiths, CEO, Dubai Airports
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Interview: Paul Griffiths How do you respond to those that have questioned the size and scale of investment being made at Dubai International? PAUL GRIFFITHS: If we were comparing the investment relative to the local economy, there would be some cause for concern. However, one must consider our target market, because that puts things in a very different context. We are not simply focused on the local market, but on the global market. What we are doing is using Dubai as an attractive destination…

Interview

OBG talks to Jamal bin Thaniah, Vice-Chairman, DP World
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Interview: Jamal bin Thaniah To what extent is there an oversupply of capacity within the GCC given the amount of investment in either new or upgraded port facilities? JAMAL BIN THANIAH: The Gulf region is both a vital hub serving 2bn people in the wider Middle East, North and East Africa, and the Indian subcontinent, as well as a significant gateway for goods originating from or destined for the growing GCC market. With many GCC nations implementing plans to reduce their reliance on petrochemicals,…

Analysis

Attention to detail: Evolving Customs rules and growing infrastructure investments bode well for logistics providers
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Just over three decades ago in 1979, construction wrapped up on what was at that point an unprecedented project in the Middle East. About 40 km south of Dubai’s historical centre – in what had been a vacant sandy lot – construction teams were working to dredge what would become Jebel Ali Port. Now complete, it has become the largest man-made port in the world. At the intersection of Africa, Asia and Europe, Jebel Ali certainly made business sense. But the project represented far more…