DUBAI: Emirates Flight 305 from Shanghai, landing on December 22, marked the historic milestone, according to the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).
The UAE achieved an impressive 10.3% year-on-year growth in air traffic in 2024, reflecting a significant recovery and expansion in the aviation industry. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, the UAE’s Minister of Economy and Chairman of the GCAA, noted that air traffic has grown by over 20% in the past two years, placing the country among the fastest-growing aviation hubs globally.
The Sheikh Zayed Air Navigation Centre, one of the busiest air traffic control centres in the world, played a pivotal role in achieving this milestone. In 2024, the centre implemented cutting-edge technologies to enhance airspace efficiency and minimize delays. The GCAA also expanded airspace capacity to meet rising demand while maintaining safety and reliability standards.
Read More
- Lightning strikes kill 14 people in India’s Jharkhand
- Libyan coast guard rescues 29 migrants off Sirte coast
- Magnitude 6.3 earthquake strikes southern Philippines; no tsunami warning issued
- US student visas to Indian, Chinese nationals see sharp decline in 2025, says CIS report
- Trump says Hormuz to be opened “very soon”, warns Iran will be “hit really hard” if no deal reached
Aviation continues to be a key driver of the UAE economy. In Dubai alone, aviation-facilitated tourism contributed Dh43 billion to the city’s GDP, accounting for 8.5% and supporting over 329,000 jobs. Globally, aviation’s economic impact is estimated at $4.1 trillion, underlining its significance.
For all the latest news from Oman and GCC, follow us on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn, like us on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube page, which is updated daily.





