Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub Records Steep Growth In Aircraft Movements At Vip Terminal Since June 2020

: Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub, the region’s first aviation ecosystem located in Dubai South, announced a sharp growth in air traffic movements at its VIP terminal to counter the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In July, aircraft movements totalled 476, while in August the total was 601, up by 93 per cent and 168 per cent respectively compared with the same period in 2019. Following a decline in figures leading up to April, heavily impacted by the pandemic on aviation and many other industries worldwide, numbers began climbing in May before they eventually surpassed last year’s performance during the peak summer months.

Repatriation of nationals to and from different parts of the world, medical travel, and business-related movements by VIPs and high-net-worth individuals, together with holiday trips, accounted for the sharp increase in travel over the recent months. Additionally, with the UAE easing travel restrictions, the high demand for corporate jet movement was evident.

Tahnoon Saif, chief executive officer of MBRAH, said: “By analysing the numbers, it’s reassuring to see the return of private jet travel given the circumstance we are all experiencing. Dubai has always been a business and vacation hub for many travellers, and measures taken by the VIP terminal at Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub and the UAE government as a whole have only reinforced the commitment to the sector, cushioning VIP traveller movement and reinforcing visits to Dubai as well outbound international trips.”

VIP terminal is serviced by three FBOs as it has stringent sanitisation standards and PCR COVID-19 testing facilities in place, which enhanced and increased air traffic movements through the terminal. Additionally, medical teams for COVID-19 testing are available 24/7 at the terminal, with quick turnaround results of six hours. The terminal’s traffic equated 80 per cent flights into the UAE, boosted by government’s initiatives.

The MBRAH offers global aerospace players high-level connectivity and is a free-zone destination for the world’s leading airlines, private jet companies, and associated industries. Located in, and developed by, Dubai South, MBRAH is also home to a maintenance centre and training and education campuses. It seeks to strengthen engineering industries to foster the emirate’s vision of becoming a leading aviation hub.

Aviation represents over one-quarter of Dubai’s GDP, with the Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub assisting the growth of the economy through its contributions to the sector that strengthen the emirate’s strategic proposition.