Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Honoured with Dubai-it Award for Transforming Aviation into Global Force

The President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Emirates Airline receives recognition for building an integrated aviation system that has reshaped Dubai's economy and connected the emirate to the world

The architecture of ambition takes many forms, but few have proven as transformative as the vision that has reshaped Dubai’s relationship with the skies. On the 28th of October, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, honoured H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum with the Dubai-it Award, recognition of a career spent building an aviation ecosystem of remarkable scale and sophistication.

The accolade celebrates Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed’s stewardship of an integrated portfolio of aviation companies and projects whose economic impact now exceeds AED400 billion. This figure represents more than business growth; it speaks to the foundational role aviation now plays in Dubai’s economy, trade, tourism and global standing. What began with modest origins has evolved into a network of extraordinary reach: Emirates Airline’s fleet has expanded 139-fold from its beginning, whilst its destination network now spans more than 76 times its original footprint. Alongside this, flydubai has grown in both destination count and economic contribution, strengthening Dubai’s air connectivity with markets across the globe.

Dubai International Airport itself stands as testament to this transformation. Connected to 291 destinations through 108 international airlines, the airport welcomed 95.2 million passengers during 2025, a figure that represents the highest annual international passenger traffic ever recorded by any airport worldwide. This achievement reflects not simply scale, but the efficiency of infrastructure designed to absorb and serve continuous growth.

The Crown Prince’s recognition of exceptional leadership extends beyond individual accomplishment. Sheikh Hamdan observed that Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed has demonstrated an uncommon ability to manage an entire sector’s growth, connecting companies and projects so that each success becomes the foundation for the next. This philosophical approach—building systems rather than managing institutions—has made aviation a driving force for Dubai’s broader economic ambitions.

Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Chairman of The Executive Office of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, reflected on the deeper significance of this achievement. He noted that Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed’s impact extends far beyond aviation itself, shaping the future of the entire city by expanding trade and tourism, attracting businesses, investment and talent. What distinguishes his approach is the creation of sustainable systems that continually generate new opportunities for growth, embodying what has been called the Dubai-it philosophy: delivering exceptional results in record time and to a high standard.

The Dubai-it Award itself was established under the directives of the Crown Prince to honour those who translate ideas and ambitions into tangible achievements, embodying Dubai’s philosophy of work through action and projects with clear impact. In recognizing Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, the award acknowledges a lifetime devoted to the proposition that extraordinary accomplishment, when built upon integrated systems and sustained excellence, becomes not an end but a foundation for ever greater ambition.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

Dubai’s transformation into a global aviation hub resonates across the entire Emirates. The economic impact of this integrated system, valued at more than AED400 billion, contributes to the broader regional economy and positions the UAE as a vital junction point in global trade and tourism. The efficiency and scale of Dubai’s aviation infrastructure sets standards for aviation development across the region, demonstrating how strategic leadership and systematic integration can achieve results of international significance.

The Dubai-it Award itself reflects a broader emphasis within UAE leadership on celebrating and embedding excellence within institutional culture. This commitment to recognizing leadership excellence extends across emirates and sectors, reinforcing the values of achievement, hard work and the transformation of ambition into tangible results that guide the nation’s development.

Source: WAM