More Collaboration Needed – Dubai Airports CEO

Dubai – February 13, 2012 - Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths today called on aviation leaders to change the industry’s attitude and approach to solving chronic problems that have made it so susceptible to economic downturns.

“In an industry beset by misguided regulation, taxation, protectionism and drowning in red ink we have to stop characterising challenges as internal and external – if they affect our business, then they are all internal. It’s the attitude that needs to change,” said Griffiths as a member of an IATA industry panel at the Singapore Airshow Leadership Summit being held today.

The panel – which featured aviation heavyweights Frank Durinckx, Director-General of Belgium’s Civil Aviation Authority; Virgin Australia CEO John Borghetti; Airbus CEO Thomas Enders; Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong and French Transport Minister Thierry Mariani – tackled a number of industry hot topics including regulation, liberalisation, taxation and profitability.

"The various parts of the aviation value chain – airports, airlines, retailers, manufacturers and the like – still operate in silos. This often impacts the level of service provided to our mutual customers and restricts the value we generate as a business," added Griffiths. "The automotive, refining and manufacturing sectors have done this successfully. Dubai’s aviation model also offers an example with its collaborative approach and supportive business environment. The end result is a sector that yields healthy returns and supports $22 billion in economic activity or 28% of Dubai's GDP.”