Dubai: Dubai’s flagship carrier, Emirates, will transition its operations from its current home base at Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Al Maktoum International ‘in one go’ by 2034, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, told reporters at the Arabian Travel Market on Tuesday.
Sheikh Ahmed said the transition to Al Maktoum International, also known as Dubai World Central (DWC), from DXB will not take place in phases; instead, the operations will be moved ‘in one go’. He also confirmed that the airline would not split its operations and would operate from only one base.
“It will happen in one go. I think you will wake up one day with the terminal open and tested, and you will see your Emirates flights from Dubai Al Maktoum,” said Sheikh Ahmed.
“The existing terminal at Al Maktoum International Terminal has a capacity of about 30 to 35 million passengers. As of next year, flydubai will increase its operations out of the existing terminal (at DWC), proving that we are going in that direction,” he said.
“When we talk about an airport with a nearly 160 million passenger (capacity) in the first phase, we need 8 to 10 years for construction. We are talking about going from one runway to five. That will take some time. But when the airport opens, there will be no constraint on traffic, growth, or flexibility within an airport,” said the airline’s Chief.
New terminal needed for growth
While Emirates’ current home base, DXB, offers the airline the opportunity to meet its growth targets, Sheikh Ahmed said, “I would say almost not at the limit. To us here in Dubai, it is always about the service level. And continuing here (DXB) will not allow us to offer the right service.” These plans were charted out as part of Dubai’s D33 Economic Agenda. The airline’s CEO also said it is up to the Dubai government to decide what to do with the existing terminal at Dubai International (DXB).
Shortly after the government of Dubai announced its $35 billion plan to expand operations at Al Maktoum International, also known as DWC, in the next decade, Dubai carriers Emirates and flydubai confirmed it would be moving their operations to the proposed passenger terminal. The terminal can accommodate up to 260 million passengers and 15 million tonnes of cargo upon completion.
We are talking about going from one runway to five. That will take some time. But when the airport opens, there will be no constraint on traffic, growth, or flexibility within an airport
The new terminal’s announcement comes after DXB home carriers Emirates and flydubai announced massive multi-million-dollar orders for widebody aircraft at the Dubai Airshow in November 2023.
Sheikh Ahmed said, “Just look at the numbers; if only Emirates and flydubai have a growth of, let’s say, 5 per cent every year, for example. With all those aircraft entering the airport, we need more gates and parking bays,” The existing capacities at DXB do not allow such room for growth. “Without the new airport, Dubai will go backwards,” he said.
Sheikh Ahmed commented on the terminal's financing plans, saying, “We know that a lot of companies – locally and internationally – will be very interested in financing this project. From baggage handling system, parking, and terminal, they (the companies) will be there with their finances. I am not worried; we will always find a way to finance the project.”
‘Not happy with Boeing’
The Emirates chairman also said American OEM Boeing’s management has assured him that the plane maker will settle its affairs after long delays on the 777X widebody, of which the Dubai airline is the biggest customer.
“I am not happy, and I hope the new management will put all the effort into fixing Boeing to deliver the new 777X aircraft. I did meet with the management some time ago after they promised they would do their best to fix it,” he explained.
Emirates increased its backlog of Boeing 777X aircraft to 205, ordering an additional 90 aircraft during the Dubai Airshow 2023. The plane maker has promised Emirates it would receive its type inspection authorization (TIA) by the first quarter of 2025, as it continues to target 2025 for US FAA approvals.
Refurbishment as a response
“The delays put a lot of pressure on us about flight and seat capacity, which is why we have extended the refurbishment programme for the existing fleet. We are adding the Premium Class seats to our A350s, which we begin using at the end of August this year. They will be added to all 65 of Emirates’ A350 fleet,” he said.
Sheikh Ahmed also said the airline’s superjumbo A380s would stay with the airline for another 13-15 years. “It is a good thing we have the A380s. We are currently using only 88 out of the 116 in our fleet, which will also go through maintenance,” he explained.
