Dubai:
Dubai Airports expects the bullish trend of heavy flow of international passengers to continue in 2015, its chief executive officer told Gulf News, further cementing its position as the world’s most busiest airport for international travellers.
Dubai, which geographically situated at the crossroads between Asia, Africa, Europe, has used this opportunity to establish itself as a base for inter-continental transfer flights.
“The big news for 2014 was that we passed Heathrow as the number 1 airport for international passengers. We are projecting now in 2015 to add about 8 million passengers to end up the year with about 79 million passengers during which we would open a new major facility concourse D, which should facilitate some amount of growth” Paul Griffiths, chief executive officer of Dubai Airports.
Griffiths said lower crude oil prices could trigger further reduction in fares, enabling more people to fly, which could spur more growth.
Crude prices have fallen about 50 per cent since last year mainly due to higher supplies and lack of demand.
“If airline ticket prices fall then obviously would be a further boost to tourism and that should see that come in through stronger growth numbers,” said Griffiths.
Oxford Economics estimates that every $20 fall(Dh73.4) in the oil price increases global growth by 0.4 per cent within two to three years.
Strongest market
A fall in Russian tourists has been compensated by rising number of tourists from Europe and elsewhere in Asia. In terms of per cent growth in 2014, Eastern Europe, which witnessed 21 per cent growth, was the strongest market followed by North America. Asia grew by 12.6 per cent last year.
“Indian subcontinent is always been number 1 region for traffic origin and would continue to be the case,” said Griffiths.
Meanwhile, in 2014, aircraft movements totalled 357,339 compared to 369,953 versus 2013, a contraction of 3.4 per cent, primarily due to the temporary reduction of flights experienced during the 80-day runway refurbishment project during the summer, and the shift of freighter operators and general aviation to Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central (DWC) earlier this year.
On top of agenda
The Concourse D, which will be connected to Terminal 1 to facilitate check-in and baggage servicing, would give Dubai Airports about an additional 15 million in terms of capacity.
“We are waiting for a confirmation of a construction completion date from the contractor,” which Dubai Airports expect to get by the end of first quarter, said Griffiths. By the end of second quarter of 2015, Dubai Airports would be able to announce the opening date.
Dubai Airports also plans to add new airlines to the Dubai World Central in 2015.
“In 2015, the airport expects to overtake Heathrow’s international and domestic traffic,” said Griffiths. Heathrow‘s international traffic for 2014 stood at 68.3 million.
