Airlines around the world had a strong recovery in 2024. According to a BCG report, the industry to grow steadily in 2025. However, behind the positive outlook, the airlines industry faces rising challenges. These include delays in aircraft and parts deliveries. Analysts also believe labor negotiations too are likely to bring long-term, step-change increases in wages.
In the middle of such high-stakes balancing act, the question isn’t just how to move more passengers, but how to do it sustainably and what it really means to run a greener airport. That’s exactly what Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths explores in the latest episode of All Things Sustainable.
Paul Griffiths leads Dubai Airports, which owns and manages the operation and development of Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
In fact, Dubai Airports, one of the world’s busiest travel hubs served over 92 million travelers in 2024.
Griffiths says,
There is a growing realization that the industry has to clean its act up as far as carbon emissions are concerned.
With that in mind, Dubai Airports is actively working to decarbonize its operations. From reducing carbon emissions to making systemic changes within the aviation ecosystem.
In fact, the organization has achieved Level 4 “Transformation” accreditation from Airports Council International (ACI)’s Airport Carbon Accreditation program. As a result, ACI ranks Dubai Airports among top 5% globally in carbon management. A first in the UAE to reach this level.
This episode is part of the Terra Carta Series, a collaboration with the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI). Through this partnership, the podcast explores how global CEOs embedding sustainability into their businesses. The Terra Carta—named in homage to the Magna Carta—lays out a bold vision for a climate-resilient global economy. S&P Global Sustainable1 published this piece.
Listen to Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, discuss the future of sustainable aviation.
