Aviation to contribute USD 53.1 b, 750K jobs to Dubai economy

The aviation sector as a whole contributed USD 26.7 billion to the Dubai economy in 2013, which was almost 27 per cent of Dubai's GDP and supported a total of 416,500 jobs accounting for 21 per cent of the emirates' total employment.
These figures were based on the latest report 'Quantifying the Economic Impact of Aviation in Dubai' conducted by global research firm, Oxford Economics, as a follow-up to a 2011 study done by the same firm.
The report seeks to quantify the economic impact of the aviation sector and its subsequent Dubai-based supply chain.
The report re-affirms aviation's growing significance as a major engine of economic development, and its far-reaching contributions to other industries as a catalyst for a spectrum of economic activity.

"Dubai's success stems from a clear vision, careful planning, and collaborative execution. It is no accident that we are a global aviation hub today. We want Dubai to be the top choice for international travellers and traders - as a destination, and as a transport hub," said Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, Chairman of Dubai Airports and President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority.
It is estimated that the aviation sector, including the Emirates Group, Dubai Airports, and other aviation businesses such as airlines flying into Dubai, regulatory authorities and Dubai Duty Free, had a core impact of USD 16.5 billion GVA in 2013. This equals to 16.5 per cent of Dubai's GDP, supporting over 259,000 Dubai based jobs.

Moreover, for every USD 100 of activity in the aviation sector, a further USD 72 is added in other sectors of the local economy from supply chain connections and expenditures.

For every 100 jobs created in aviation, an additional 116 jobs are created elsewhere in Dubai, the report said.
Aviation is also an indispensable catalyst for the growth of Dubai's tourism industry. Dubai currently captures a 0.4 per cent share of the world's business and tourism traffic, double the share it had in 2000.
One of Dubai's greatest assets is its enhanced connectivity. In 2013, Oxford estimated that passengers could connect from Dubai to 25 cities (or 81 per cent of world cities) with populations of over 10 million people.

Between 2014 and 2020, the contribution of the aviation sector to Dubai's economy is expected to grow at a faster rate than the economy as a whole, on the back of strong growth in international passenger traffic and cargo, it said.
It is estimated that the overall economic impact of both aviation and tourism related activities will rise to a robust USD 53.1 billion in 2020. This will be equivalent to 37.5 per cent of Dubai's GDP, supporting over 754,500 Dubai-based jobs.