The transformation of Dubai’s aviation sector has been phenomenal.

In 1959, when Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum wanted to construct the airport, all he had in abundance was ambition and determination.

Dubai was a nondescript spot on Arab world map with proper public utilities.

Taking a loan of a few thousands of rupees, braving geo-politics and challenging economic landscape in near and far, he ventured out with the project.

The tiny airport built in the midst of desert for handling 200,000 passengers used to operate only between 7 am and 1 pm – no night landing facilities existed in its formative years.

He devoted his efforts to develop the airport and aviation services by taking up bold decisions like Open Skies policy which brought airlines in hordes like birds.

Duty Free facility of the formative years was a far cry from today’s lavish and ever-expanding facility, the world’s biggest single largest duty free enterprise.

Following the foot steps of his father since 1977, H H Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, gave a fast momentum to the expansion programme and making the journey an unparalleled success, be it Emirates Airlines, Dubai Duty Free or Dubai Airport Free Zone.

Today, the airport is the world’s second busiest and is projected to handle 51 million passengers in 2011 and 100 million annually in 2020 when the second airport, Dubai World Central, gets fully operational, making Dubai the home to the world’s biggest airport.
Dubai, home to two million people, will see aviation’s share in the GDP going up from 28 per cent to 32 per cent by 2020.

This book include interactions with top 50 key leaders and decision makers of Dubai whose hard work went into the making Dubai a success story in a short span of time.
For the first time, they shared information about the challenges and opportunities that handled and how these were utilized for Dubai’s advantage.

They talk about the journey of success, the milestones they crossed and what goes into making the future solid and secure.

The book traces the amazing journey of success as an international aviation hub and what lies ahead in the future and what the vision and leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, means to the world aviation industry.

This book takes you on an interesting tour of the aviation industry's roots and evolution in Dubai since the landing of the first commercial flight in 1937. We invite you to explore the rich history and get an all-clear picture of the world's most fascinating aviation hub.