Dubai: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, has stressed that Dubai today is the world’s hub and a convergence point for humanity.
While meeting with senior officials from the Emirates Group, Sheikh Mohammed said that Dubai has evolved into a pivotal link between the continents and civilizations of the world.
The meeting was held in the presence of Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the UAE, and Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group.
Reflecting on the origins of establishing an airline in Dubai over four decades ago, Sheikh Mohammed recalled it as a mere dream challenged by sceptics and faced with numerous distractions.
“Against the odds, this dream has flourished into a major success, now employing over 112,000 individuals, connecting 277 cities, and transporting more than 50 million passengers annually, generating revenues surpassing Dh 137 billion each year,” Sheikh Mohammed tweeted.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid was briefed by Sheikh Ahmed on Emirates’ future plans and key initiatives, which include expanding their aircraft fleet, upgrading existing aircraft, enhancing capabilities in hospitality, cargo, and ground handling.
The airline also plans to leverage advanced technologies to support operations, expanding training and employee development programmes, and advancing sustainability initiatives within the Group.
Sheikh Mohammed was then briefed by Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, on the Group's recent achievements, which include setting new records in profits and revenues.
These accomplishments were driven by the global expansion of operations to meet strong customer demand for the airline's high-quality products and services.
Sheikh Mohammed underlined that Dubai's ambitions are far from being realized. The city is currently in the process of expanding its business operations, with plans to open a larger international airport. This ambitious project is aimed at connecting every city across all five continents, further solidifying Dubai's position as a global hub.
“Today, Dubai is the airport of the world, the meeting place of humanity, and a vital link between continents and civilizations,” he shared on his official X (formerly known as Twitter) account.
The Dubai Ruler concluded his tweet with an inspiring message about the power of determination and will. “The lesson: if you are equipped with determination and will, don’t allow anyone to stand between you and your dreams. Because you can always achieve what you can dream of.”
He also commended the Emirates Airlines for its pivotal role in realising the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, leveraging its significant capabilities in the air transport industry to expand Dubai's economic networks, thereby contributing to the goal of doubling the emirate's foreign trade volume by 2033.
