Chairman, Dubai Free Zones Council

Over the past four decades, HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum has been at the forefront of Dubai’s remarkable economic development spearheading the successful expansion of aviation, which constitutes a substantial part of Dubai’s GDP, and formulating economic, investment and fiscal policies and strategies in support of the emirate’s overarching vision.

Sheikh Ahmed’s career in the aviation industry began in 1985 when he was appointed President of the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) – the governing body that oversaw the activities of Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai Duty Free, among others. In that same year Emirates – Dubai’s international airline was launched with Sheikh Ahmed as its Chairman. He is now the Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group, which includes dnata – one of the world’s leading providers of air services and travel services, and other aviation related entities.

Award-winning Emirates is one of the world’s most recognised airline brands with a global footprint across six continents, connecting passengers and facilitating global trade. The airline operates one of the most modern, young and efficient fleets of spacious and comfortable Airbus A380, Airbus A350 and Boeing 777 aircraft. Under his leadership, Emirates has been profitable for over 30 years. A trusted partner for over 300 airline customers worldwide, dnata offers ground handling, cargo, travel, catering and retail services in more than 35 countries across six continents. In the financial year 2025-26 (April 1-March 31), dnata handled 888,000 aircraft turns, moved 3.2 million tonnes of cargo, uplifted more than 115 million meals and recorded a total transaction value (TTV) of travel service of US$ 2.7 billion.

Dubai Duty Free is one of the world’s largest single airport retail operations, recording annual sales of US$2.378 billion in 2025. It continues to expand its retail footprint across DXB and Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International (DWC), with total retail space footprint reaching 40,000 square metres. With a workforce of more than 5,800 people, Dubai Duty Free has consistently set new benchmarks in airport retail and remains on a steady growth trajectory. 

Guided by Sheikh Ahmed’s vision, the DCA underwent an organisational restructuring in April 2007. This led to the creation of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) as the local regulatory body, and Dubai Airports as the operator of Dubai’s airports – DXB and Dubai World Central (DWC). Following the restructuring, Sheikh Ahmed became the President of DCAA and Chairman of Dubai Airports.

Under his highness’ leadership, DXB has developed into the world’s busiest airport for international passengers, maintaining its position at the top for 12 consecutive years since 2014, with a network of more than 290 destinations across 110 countries served by more than 105 international airlines. This was enabled by the hub’s timely and progressive expansion, including the opening of DXB’s Terminal 3 in October 2008; the opening of Concourse A, the world’s first purpose-built A380 facility in early 2013 and the opening of the $1.2 billion Concourse D in February 2016.

flydubai was established in 2008 to support Dubai’s thriving aviation hub, with Sheikh Ahmed as Chairman. Since launch, the airline has focused on removing barriers to travel, supporting trade and tourism, and strengthening connectivity across its network. Over more than 16 years, it has grown to over 140 destinations, with more than 100 previously underserved or lacking direct links to Dubai. The airline has sustained strong passenger demand and consistent performance throughout Sheikh Ahmed’s tenure. Today, flydubai is the second-largest carrier at DXB, having carried more than 137 million passengers. It operates an efficient fleet of over 95 Boeing 737 aircraft, with more than 370 on order, while continuing to invest in its fleet, technology and people to support future growth.

In January 2019, Sheikh Ahmed received the Mohammed bin Rashid Honorary Sash in recognition of his leadership in aviation. 

Outside aviation, Sheikh Ahmed holds several government roles and plays a key role in the emirate’s finance and energy sectors.

Sheikh Ahmed serves as Chairman of Dubai Holding, overseeing the integration of major real estate entities including Meraas, Nakheel, and Meydan. He has served as Chancellor of the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences since 2016 and currently chairs the Board of Trustees of the National University of Dubai, established under Dubai Social Agenda 33 in 2024.

Despite his numerous business commitments, Sheikh Ahmed is patron to many charitable organisations. He has also received numerous accolades from various governments and multi-national entities.

Sheikh Ahmed holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Denver, USA, and is internationally recognised for his contributions to regional aviation. He was awarded a Fellowship of the Royal Aeronautical Society in 1994 and received an honorary Doctor of Science from City University London (Cass Business School) in 2013 for his leadership across aviation, finance, banking, and entrepreneurship.

H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Addendum to Biography
1.President, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA)
2.Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group (including dnata)
3.Chairman, Dubai Airports
4.Chairman, flydubai
5.Chairman, Dubai Duty Free
6.Chairman, Dubai Supreme Fiscal Committee
7.Chairman, Dubai Supreme Council for Energy
8.Chairman, Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ)
9.Chairman, Board of Dubai World (DW)
10.Chairman, Free Zones Council of Dubai
11.Chairman, Expo City Dubai Authority
12.Chairman, the Board of Directors of Dubai Health 
13.Chairman, Emirates National Bank of Dubai (ENBD)
14. Chancellor, The British University in Dubai
15.Chairman, Dubai Air Wing
16.Chairman, Dubai Aerospace Enterprises (DAE) Ltd
17.Chairman, Emirates Literature Foundation
18.Chairman, Dubai World Trade Centre Authority (DWTCA)
19.Deputy Chairman, The Executive Council of Dubai
20.Board Member, Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD)
21.Board Member, General Civil Aviation Authority of UAE
22. Deputy Chairman, Strategic Affairs Council
23.Chancellor, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU)
24.Chairman, Dubai Holding
25.Chairman, the Board of Trustees of the National University of Dubai (NUD)