DELHI- With nearly 12 million passengers in the calendar year 2023, India is Dubai Airport’s largest market. However, the airport is not experiencing an increase in new flights from India, as airlines from both countries have exhausted their allotted seat entitlements.
Indian and Saudi Arabian airlines have placed large aircraft orders and plan to develop their hubs. Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, discusses the airport’s strategies to maintain its status as the key hub in the region.
Dubai India Expansion
Abu Dhabi (AUH) and Doha (DOH) have seen an increase in flights from India on a year-on-year basis. The capacity between India and Dubai (DXB) has not increased. This stagnation raises the question – how do you view this?
Griffiths emphasizes that there is room for growth, and gaining access to greater traffic rights would benefit both countries. India has been the UAE’s strongest trading partner for a long time, indicating the need to develop strong trade ties further.
Indian carriers play a significant role in Dubai airports’ overall traffic mix. Airlines such as Air India (AI), Air India Express (IX), IndiGo (6E), and SpiceJet (SG) are key customers of the airport. However, Griffiths points out that despite the desire to develop the Indian market further, bilateral constraints impose a ceiling on these aspirations.
In 2023, nearly 12 million passengers flew between India and Dubai. When considering the share of Origin-Destination (O&D) traffic and onward traffic, Griffiths reveals that Dubai is the final destination for around 70% of passengers from India, while 30% travel onward.
Market dynamics have shifted, with the O&D market growing faster both overall and within the Indian market.
Competition and Future Plans
India and Saudi Arabia are two of the largest markets for Dubai. Competition and the increase in capacity are viewed as positive factors by Griffiths.
This competition will lead to the Middle East region capitalizing on its tourism potential, especially with the forthcoming events like the World Cup in Saudi Arabia.
Regarding plans to improve passenger experience, Griffiths mentions ongoing efforts to enhance the flow of passengers through the airport.
The focus is on leveraging new technologies and commercial offers to enhance the customer proposition. Expect to see significant innovations in the upcoming years.
In April, Dubai experienced unprecedented floods leading to flight suspensions. The airport’s contingency plans worked well, clearing rainwater efficiently. Moving forward, infrastructure upgrades are underway to improve drainage in the city.
In terms of sustainability, Dubai Airport aims to become as close to carbon neutral as possible. Initiatives include harnessing solar energy, transitioning ground-based vehicles to non-hydrocarbon fuel, and adopting new technologies to reduce the airport’s carbon footprint.
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