Recent data from the Dubai Airports website shows that the total number of destinations served by airlines operating at Dubai International Airport reached 150 in May, operated by 57 national and international airlines. According to the latest data from the organization, which were highlighted by "Emirates Today," Dubai International Airport currently serves 63% of the destinations in 89 countries and deals with 75 airlines that were operating flights through Dubai before the COVID-19 pandemic. This data includes airlines focused solely on passenger transport, excluding cargo airlines.
According to the latest data released by the international organization "OAG," which provides airport and airline data, Dubai International Airport maintains its position as the largest air transport hub in the world in terms of seat capacity supplied by airlines on international departures from the airport. Dubai International Airport retained its status as the world's busiest airport for international travelers in 2020, marking the seventh consecutive year, according to the annual report from the Airports Council International, which monitors the performance of the aviation sector globally. Council data indicated that Dubai International Airport handled approximately 25.9 million international travelers last year, while the annual volume of air cargo in 2020 was 1.93 million tons.
Dubai Airports stated that Dubai International Airport had a positive end to the first quarter of the year, recording a gradual and steady recovery in both passenger numbers and cargo volumes, noting that passenger numbers exceeded the 2 million mark in March, bringing the total number of passengers served during the first quarter of 2021 to 5.75 million.
International airlines continue to resume operations at Dubai International Airport, with data from Emirates Airline and FlyDubai showing a continuous increase in passenger destinations within the networks of both carriers. This is accompanied by the implementation of travel protocols that facilitate travel for UAE citizens, residents, and tourists while maintaining the safety of visitors and communities.
Emirates Airline resumed flights to around 100 international destinations and announced that it plans to restore 70% of its capacity by Winter 2021. Meanwhile, FlyDubai announced the launch of more destinations, bringing its network to over 80 destinations and expanding its network in Russia to 11 points in the near future. FlyDubai’s expanded code-sharing partnership with Emirates Airline offers passengers smoother connecting flights through Dubai International Airport, which today serves as a global aviation hub providing flights to over 155 destinations between Emirates Airline and FlyDubai, including Australia, the Indian Ocean, Japan, South Asia, and the United States.
Dubai Airports Enhances Localization Program
Dubai Airports announced the graduation of the first batch of its "Bidayati" program designated for developing and employing new Emirati graduates, held via the "Tamayaz" virtual platform. The "Bidayati" program involved the recruitment of 10 new Emirati graduates from various universities and colleges in different specialties to work at Dubai Airports.
Launched in October 2019, the program aims to employ and prepare Emirati graduates for seamless integration into the workforce and smooth transition from university life, focusing on the aviation sector—one of the key economic sectors in Dubai. The new graduates underwent an intensive development process lasting 18 months, which included specialized training courses, workshops, and on-the-job training under the supervision of Dubai Airports professionals to ensure their confidence in performing their new roles in the departments they joined.
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chief Executive of Emirates Group, expressed his appreciation for the policies adopted by the organization to develop the capabilities of national talents, asserting that "empowering young Emirati leaders is one of our priorities."
