Dubai in bid to become world's largest air hub by 2018

The Dubai government's efforts to ensure transport networks would give the emirate an advantage over its rivals, even though the number of countries looking for a share of the global markets is rising, President of Emirates Airline Tim Clark has said.

"Dubai Airport's 'SP2020' plan will enable capacity at Dubai International to rise from 60 million to 90 million passengers by 2018," Clark told the Oxford Business Group (OBG) adding that the paramount advantage that Dubai must continue to leverage is its superior infrastructure.

"Not only have leaders successfully developed a highly efficient road network, a state-of-the-art port operation and a hugely successful airport, but they have also ensured a level of connectivity between each of these entities that is unrivalled anywhere in the world," Clark added.

Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths said that Dubai's ambitious expansion programme should pave the way for the emirate to increase its market share of passenger and cargo transshipment.

Griffiths stressed the criticality of safeguarding service in the face of growing competition. "Other airports are being developed in the region with an eye on the same worldwide market," he told OBG.

He added that on the key challenge surrounding the expansion planned for Dubai International was how the site would accommodate the anticipated rise in passenger numbers.

"While the scale of investment against the local market may seem very aggressive, actually, and within the context of the global market, it is relatively modest. What we are doing is using Dubai as an attractive destination for tourism and commerce, as well as a global long-haul aviation hub," he added.

Highlighting the move by both Emirates and Flydubai to embark on significant fleet expansions, Griffiths said it was a sign of their commitment to the emirate's development programme.