Dubai's total investment of more than $30 billion will make it the largest aviation hub in the Middle East and transform its carrier Emirates into a global airline, the Dubai Aviation Forum was told.
These investments comprise $26 billion for the expansion of Emirates airline and $4.1 billion for that of Dubai International Airport, said Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) and chairman of Emirates Group.
Shaikh Ahmed was speaking after opening the Dubai Aviation Forum, which was addressed by Airbus president and chief executive Noel Forgeard and Virgin Atlantic chief executive Steve Ridgway.
A Gulf News report said the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation is embarking on a new strategy in creating an aviation forum, a process which is scheduled to be completed by the middle of next year.
“With this forum, it is our strategic aim to bring together different aviation related organisations in Dubai in order to foster ties and promote the overall development of the industry,” Shaikh Ahmed said in the report.
“This is the brilliant picture that we at the Department of Civil Aviation visualise. The future of aviation in Dubai impacts a range of services and suppliers and all need to interact with each other if we are to reach a consensus going forward.
“Dubai has invested over $30 billion - perhaps the single largest investment ever made - in the aviation industry.“