The UAE is investing Dh85 billion ($23.16 billion) in airport development and expansion that will see its airports develop combined capacity to handle more than 300 million passengers per year, said the organisers of the upcoming Global Investment in Aviation Summit (GIAS) in Dubai.

Dubai will host the first Global Investment in Aviation Summit (GIAS) from January 27 to 29, which will be attended by the world’s 500 top aviation investors. The high-profile delegates from 40 countries will include 20 Aviation Ambassadors, 10 Knowledge Partners, 200 Aviation Officials and 300 Investors brainstorming throughout the three days.

UAE’s investments in airports development include Dh30 billion ($8 billion) in developing Al Maktoum International Airport, Dh28 billion ($7.6 billion) expansion of the Phase IV of Dubai International Airport, Dh25 billion ($6.8 billion) re-development and expansion of Abu Dhabi International Airport – many of which are supported by the banks and financial institutions. In addition, Sharjah International Airport is also undergoing a Dh1.5 billion investment in the expansion of its terminal.

The UAE has 14 airports, air strips and airfields served by 113 airlines with a total annual take-off and landings exceeding 540,000.

“I am delighted to be here today as we prepare for the Global Investment in Aviation Summit. This summit is very close to UAE’s heart, as we have much to be proud of as a nation, from our humble aviation beginnings to now one of the biggest passenger hubs in the world,”  said Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, director-general of the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).

“Our airlines and airports have been ranking consistently as among the best internationally. On compliance level, UAE ranked as a top member state of the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

“The Global Investment in Aviation Summit is UAE’s testament on how far we have achieved and of our commitment to push the nation to be a global pioneer in this field. The glass ceiling is not too high to break as we have mounted unimaginable innovations.

“Yet, looking forward, we know that we can still do more. In fact, conservatively, we anticipate accommodating 118 million passengers by 2023 at the Dubai International Airport, and 120 million passengers upon completion of phase 2 of the Dubai World Central, and 200 million passengers upon its completion, all in ultra-modern infrastructures that match, if not surpass, the best in the world,” Al Suwaidi added.

The summit is held at a time when the region’s aviation industry rides high on efficiency and performance. Emirates Group posted a profit of Dh4.1 billion ($1.1 billion) for the financial year ended 31 March 2018, up 67 per cent from the previous year.

The combined fleet size of the four UAE airlines reached 502, including Emirates fleet of 268, Etihad Airways’ 120, FlyDubai’s 61 and Air Arabia’s 53. The UAE airlines add between 4-5 aircraft per month and the total combined fleet size of the UAE’s four airlines would cross 525 by the end of 2018. The UAE airlines have more than 300 more aircraft on order to join their fleets.

“The UAE is the largest airline market and aviation hub in the Middle East and North Africa and it is still the most vibrant market where the airlines are adding new aircraft every month to their fleet,” Al Suwaidi said.

“Not only as the country hosting the largest combined aircraft fleet, the UAE has also joined the global aircraft manufacturing supply chain management with Strata manufacturing aircraft components for both Boeing and Airbus.

“Dubai South – the largest aviation hub – is also developing aviation, airline and aviation-related industries and institutions, that will help the region develop new technical and research capabilities that will help the global aviation industry.

“With the growing industry that also needs continuous investment, it is befitting for the UAE to host the Global Investment in Aviation Summit – where industry leaders could network, assess and do business deals for developing new capabilities for the aviation industry.”

He said the Summit will also offer the local market, from within the aviation industry and its related sectors, a great opportunity to expand their business operations from fresh investments generated from the summit. GIAS 2019 will be a specialized and focused gathering where the local market can network with investors to present their ideas and projects.

“Likewise, these benefits and opportunities will be enjoyed by the international market who will attend the summit. Local and international investors who are keen to establish investment partnerships and collaborations with another investor or with an organisation, city, or country for their aviation projects, can maximize the platform being offered by GIAS 2019,” he said.

“The summit has features to discuss, share knowledge, network, and to assist in facilitating investment agreements during the event so that all participants’ agenda related to investments in aviation will be catered. The investment opportunities that can be generated from this Summit means UAE aviation industry shall soar even higher. We hope to count on your support on this initiative.”

Dubai Airshow – the region’s largest aviation industry exhibition – last year saw $114 billion worth of orders signed, including $27 billion worth of orders by FlyDubai for 225 Boeing 737 Max aircraft and Emirates Airline’s $15.1 billion for 40 Boeing B787-10.

Dubai South, the world’s largest Aerotropolis hosting Al Maktoum International Airport – the world’s largest greenfield airport development – is undergoing a massive development programme with investment to the tune of Dh110 billion ($30 billion) – which will be the future home of Emirates Airline – the world’s largest international airline.

Aviation Industry is one of the most important economic sectors globally, the demand for air transport will increase by an average of 4.3 per cent per annum over the next 20 years. This implies that demand for air travel will increase by a factor of two and a half over the period.

Airlines worldwide will add 11,671 aircraft and grow to 37,978 in fleet size in ten years by 2028, from the current fleet size of 26,307, according to PlaneStats – an aviation research platform by global aviation research firm Oliver Wyman.

“The global fleet is forecast to grow 4.2 per cent annually over the first five years, then slow to 3.3 per cent in the second five years as the rate of deliveries decreases and removals remain high. These dynamics will result in a fleet that is younger and larger in average seating capacity,” said the report Global Fleet & MRO Market Forecast 2018 - 2028 by Oliver Wyman.

“The new fleet is expected to support Revenue Passenger Kilometre (RPK) growth of nearly five per cent as operators improve capacity management with the larger average seating capacity. By 2028, the average age of the active fleet will have decreased from 11.2 to 10.5 years, a significant reduction. Of nearly 20,700 aircraft deliveries, 44 per cent will replace in-service aircraft a slight reduction from last year’s forecast of 50 per cent.”

The three-day eventful summit will see a number of hectic activities, including the GIAS Summit, GIAS Masterclass, GIAS Aviation Investment Destination, GIAS Investor Lounge, GIAS New Business Accelerator, GIAS Ambassadors, GIAS Bilateral Meetings, GIAS Aviation Super Stars Closing Ceremony, among others. – TradeArabia News Service