Connectivity is the key. That’s the mantra that Dubai Airports need to follow if they want to see Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central (DWC) succeed in the long term.
The fact that the airport’s operator will incentivise global airlines to operate from Al Maktoum International next summer is a step in the right direction. The closure of the southern runway at Dubai International (DXB) for 45 days next year for refurbishment will result in carriers being exempt from landing and parking fees if they choose to shift capacity to DWC, aimed at easing capacity at DXB.
The move, a smart one, will surely provide a temporary boost to Dubai’s second airport — located in Jebel Ali, 37km southwest of Dubai — which desperately needs to attract major global carriers for it to be successful in the long term. And it is also an opportunity for airlines to try the new airport. They may like it and stay there. The plan is to continue offering airlines incentives even after the 45-day period. But for DWC to be a long-term success, Dubai needs to not just connect its two airports — which lie roughly 70km apart from one another — but do so seamlessly.
There has been talk of connecting DWC with the old terminals of DXB with a Metro service, but nothing has been heard since. The project needs urgent attention. And that is perhaps what will eventually lure airlines to DWC. The faster the authorities concerned act on it, the better — especially with Expo 2020 (the site for which is Dubai South in Dubai World Central) not too far off. The Expo site will feed off DWC owing to its proximity to the airport. If the infrastructure is in place by then for Dubai’s two airports to provide smooth access to passengers, it could be a runaway success.
