Dubai’s aviation industry is set for significant expansion, with a projected addition of 185,000 new jobs by 2030, according to a recent report released by Emirates Group and Dubai Airports.
The study, compiled by global research firm Oxford Economics, highlights the aviation sector’s key role in driving Dubai’s economic growth, with the total number of aviation-related jobs expected to reach 816,000 by the end of the decade.
The report provides an in-depth analysis of the aviation sector’s impact on Dubai’s economy, revealing that approximately 631,000 people were already employed in aviation-related jobs at the end of 2023, representing one in five jobs in the city.
By 2030, this figure is anticipated to grow to one in four, as the sector continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the city’s economic landscape.
Core and Catalytic Impact Driving Job Growth
The study divides the employment supported by the aviation sector into two main categories: core economic impact and catalytic impact.
The core economic impact accounted for 303,000 jobs in 2023, including 103,000 direct jobs in the sector and 200,000 additional jobs supported through the sector’s supply chain and wage-funded consumption.
These 103,000 direct employees in Dubai were compensated with a total of AED 23 billion in wages and salaries last year.
The catalytic impact, on the other hand, refers to the jobs created by tourism and related activities facilitated by aviation. In 2023, this impact supported 329,000 jobs, demonstrating the sector’s far-reaching influence on Dubai’s broader economy.
“Our growth plans will generate even more skilled jobs,” stated Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, and Chairman of Dubai Airports.
He highlighted that the aviation sector has rebounded strongly following the COVID-19 pandemic and has become one of the main drivers behind Dubai’s rapid growth over the past four years.
Al Maktoum International Airport to Be a Key Contributor
A significant portion of the future job creation is expected to come from the development of the Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central (DWC).
Once fully operational, this airport will be the world’s largest, with a projected capacity to accommodate up to 260 million passengers annually and over 400 aircraft stands.
The expansion of Al Maktoum International is projected to contribute approximately AED 6.1 billion to Dubai’s GDP by 2030, equivalent to 1% of the city’s economic output.
Although the impact of DWC’s expansion is not included in the core employment results of the study, it is expected to generate an estimated 132,000 jobs, accounting for 3.7% of Dubai’s total employment by 2030.
The airport’s development is seen as a cornerstone of the city’s ambitious plans to strengthen its aviation infrastructure and accommodate the anticipated surge in air traffic over the coming years.
“Our ambitious plans for Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International Airport, and our ongoing investments to expand capacity at Dubai International, will unlock further economic opportunities by supporting the projected demand for air transport,” added Sheikh Ahmed.
The new AED 128 billion airport, slated for completion within the next decade, will cover an area five times the size of Dubai International Airport (DXB), Dubai’s current primary aviation hub.
Direct and Indirect Job Creation by Emirates and Dubai Airports
Emirates Airline, Dubai Airports, and other entities in the aviation sector are poised to create nearly 24,000 direct jobs by 2030, as per the report’s findings.
The workforce employed directly by these entities was estimated at 103,000 by the end of 2023 and is expected to increase to 127,000 over the next six years, marking a 23% growth.
At the end of 2023, Dubai’s flagship carrier, Emirates, employed 81,000 direct staff members in the city, a figure projected to rise to 104,000 by 2030.
Similarly, Dubai Airports and other aviation-related companies employed 21,000 people, with the number expected to increase to 23,000 by the end of the decade.
In addition to direct job creation, the aviation sector also supports a significant number of indirect jobs. In 2023, Emirates supported 106,000 jobs through its supply chain and other economic activities, with this number set to expand to 135,000 by 2030.
For Dubai Airports and other sector entities, indirect job support is expected to grow from 33,000 in 2023 to 48,000 by 2030.
Overall, Emirates contributed to 413,000 jobs in 2023, equivalent to one in every eight jobs in Dubai. Dubai Airports and other aviation-related entities supported 67,000 jobs last year, which constituted one in every 48 jobs in the city.
These figures are expected to increase significantly by 2030, with Dubai Airports’ total job support forecast to rise to 87,000, and the overall number of jobs supported through the catalytic impact of aviation reaching 429,000.
Aviation’s Role in Dubai’s Economic Growth
Dubai’s aviation sector has played a crucial role in the emirate’s growth, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The city’s strategic investments in expanding air connectivity have not only positioned Dubai as a leading global player in aviation and logistics but also contributed to its reputation as a premier destination for trade, investments, and tourism.
The report’s findings underscore the resilience of Dubai’s aviation industry and its ability to bounce back from the challenges posed by the pandemic.
The expansion of major carriers such as Emirates and flydubai, which have added new destinations and increased their workforce, has further strengthened the sector’s economic impact.
The anticipated growth in aviation-related jobs by 2030 reflects the emirate’s commitment to enhancing its infrastructure to meet future demands.
Sheikh Ahmed noted that Dubai’s robust air connectivity and ongoing projects, such as the expansion of Dubai International Airport and the development of Al Maktoum International, would enable the emirate to capitalize on opportunities in the aviation industry.
Long-Term Outlook and Strategic Initiatives
Looking ahead, the Dubai aviation sector’s long-term outlook remains positive, with significant investment planned to meet future growth.
The new Al Maktoum International Airport is expected to play a central role in accommodating the increased passenger and cargo traffic, ensuring that Dubai remains at the forefront of global aviation.
The Emirates Group, Dubai Airports, and other stakeholders are taking strategic steps to support job creation and economic development, with initiatives aimed at expanding operational capacity and enhancing the city’s appeal as a global hub for air travel.
As Dubai prepares to welcome a new era of aviation, the sector’s impact on the local economy is expected to grow, creating more employment opportunities and reinforcing the city’s status as a key player in the global aviation landscape.
The report’s projection that one in four jobs in Dubai will be aviation-related by 2030 highlights the sector’s central role in shaping the future of the emirate’s economy.