Service charges and fees at Dubai airport could go up in longer term

Dubai: Passenger service charges as well as other fees at the Dubai International Airport might go up in the longer term, if not soon, as the new holding company, Dubai Airports, takes charge of Dubai's two airports.

"At the moment our focus will be to upgrade facilities to reduce waiting time for passengers so that we can handle 60 million passengers by 2010 from the current 30 million," Paul Griffiths, CEO of the newly-launched Dubai Airports, told Gulf News on Sunday.

"Right now we are not thinking about raising fees or service charges. However, once we carry out financial evaluation of the company, the revenue stream and operating costs, that might change."

He ruled out immediate privatisation of services, saying this could be a decision for the future. A dedicated fast-track rail system will shuttle transit passengers between Dubai's two airports - Dubai International and Al Maktoum International Airport (AMIA) - that will become crucial once commercial flights starts operation at the latter, a top official said.

Dubai Airports, the new holding company, will manage both the airports.

Discussions

"We are already in talks with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to find out solutions, including a dedicated services on the Purple Line of the Dubai Metro to fast-track passengers between the two airports within the shortest possible time," he said.

Dubai government recently restructured its aviation sector by separating the regulatory and operations functions of the recently abolished Department of Civil Aviation (DCA), creating the Dubai City of Aviation Establishment (DCAE) and the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA).

Dubai Airports, part of the DCAE, has inherited the airport assets of the DCA.

Funding for the expansion of the airports, which will cost more than $15 billion (Dh55 billion) over the next 12 years, will be provided by the government.

"The airport expansion will continue to be financed by the government as before and we are not thinking of borrowing money. However, it is an option," Griffiths said.

Meanwhile, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, yesterday unveiled new visual identities and brands for Dubai Airports and associate entities on the opening day at the 10th Aerospace Exhibition - Dubai Airshow 2007.