Dubai Airports chief proposes 8-hub model for future travel

SAYS EACH AIRPORT WILL BE SMALLER, FASTER, AND CONNECTED BY HIGH-SPEED RAIL

- BY DHANUSHA GOKULAN Chief Reporter

The chief executive of Dubai Airports, operator of the world's busiest hub for international passenger traffic, has called for a fundamental shift in how airports are conceived and managed.

Speaking at Newsweek's inaugural New Destinations Travel and Tourism Summit, CEO Paul Griffiths outlined his vision for a future where the often-frustrating experience of air travel is significantly improved.

Public perception

Griffiths stressed the need to "reimagine the airport experience," asserting that current models are outdated and ill-suited to the demands of modern travellers. He argued that airports should transition from being perceived as logistical bottlenecks to becoming welcoming gateways that prioritise passenger comfort and efficiency.

"People don't have the vision that an airport should be a place of hospitality... a place of welcome," he stated, highlighting the importance of the initial and final impressions for visitors arriving in and departing from a country.