Soaring together the single-largest fleet of 777s in the world, which fly to at least 80 countries, according to the airline. In the meantime, Etihad Airways has emerged as a fast-growing competitor, and low-cost carrier flydubai has ramped up operations with an all-Boeing fleet of 737s. All together, the three airlines operate more than 3,600 flights a week from Dubai and Abu Dhabi to destinations within the Middle East and much farther away, making the UAE a top global aviation hub. Because of that growing demand for commercial aviation in the nation, as well as its security needs, the UAE has developed a close partnership with Boeing’s commercial and defense businesses. “The UAE is a massive market for Boeing, and we’ve known this from the start,” said Bernie Dunn, president of Boeing Middle East, North Africa and Turkey. “We’ve been operating here for over three decades. In that time, we not only have been able to support the country in its efforts to become an aerospace hub but also are working to develop local manufacturing capabilities here, which brings the country’s aerospace efforts full circle. We are pleased we are able to be part of such a significant transformation.” The UAE, a federation of seven emirates that formed in the early 1970s, is the world’s eighth-largest oil producer. That sector initially powered the nation’s economy and development, but government officials have focused on creating industries that will sustain growth for years to come. As a result, 69 percent of the UAE’s gross domestic product of $419 billion last year came from activity outside the oil sector, according to government statistics. “They’ve been working hard to take petro dollars and invest them into building the industrial and manufacturing sectors there,” said Marc Allen, president, Boeing International. He noted that UAE government and business leaders are focused on long-term sustainment of job growth, especially because 95 percent of the population is under 55 years old. “Boeing’s making every effort we can to be part of the solution there.” Tourism and aviation so far have played starring roles in the UAE’s economic diversification. Dubai International Airport ranked sixth in the world in overall passenger Photo: The sun sets behind the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, the United Arab Emirates’ largest mosque, in this view from Boeing’s office in Abu Dhabi. NOVEMBER 2015 33
Frontiers November 2015 Issue
To see the actual publication please follow the link above