Sheikh Ahmed honoured with Dubai-it award for transforming aviation sector

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, the chairman and chief executive of Emirates airline, has received the Dubai-it Award for his transformative impact on the aviation sector and the enhancement of Dubai's global standing in the realm of airlines. Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, outlined the award's recognition during a post on X, emphasizing Sheikh Ahmed's pivotal role in establishing Dubai as a leading aviation hub.

He stated, "From a sandy runway and two leased aircraft to a global aviation hub, Dubai’s remarkable journey captures the true spirit of Dubai-it and reflects the exceptional leadership of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed and his team." Sheikh Ahmed expressed gratitude towards the Dubai leadership for their steadfast support and forward-looking policies that facilitated this achievement.

He highlighted in X, "This success belongs to all of Dubai. It is the result of the hard work and dedication of a great team of people at Emirates, flydubai, Dubai Airports and our partners across the sector, who turned a vision into reality. Dubai’s best days in the skies are still ahead." Since 1985, Sheikh Ahmed has overseen Dubai’s significant economic development, particularly in aviation, establishing Dubai as a global center for international travel and connectivity.

Starting as the president of Dubai Department of Civil Aviation in 1985, Sheikh Ahmed launched Emirates the same year, serving as its chairman. Currently, he holds the positions of chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group, which encompasses dnata and other aviation-related entities. Emirates airline has expanded its fleet by nearly 139 times and its destination network by 76 times, while flydubai has rapidly grown to bolster Dubai’s connectivity and expand travel opportunities.

Dubai International Airport achieved a record 95.2 million passengers in a single year and set a world record for international passenger traffic, reflecting the successful expansion of the sector. The Dubai-it Award, introduced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, aims to promote excellence among businesses and future generations. The award recognizes innovation, enterprise, and expertise across the city.

In a separate accolade, Fix Dessert, a home-grown business behind the popular Dubai chocolate confectionery, won the Dubai-it prize in the business projects category. Founded by Sarah Hamouda and Yezen Alani, Fix Dessert experienced a surge in sales of 1,234% in a year, making their products available in markets worldwide and at over 100 airports.