Dubai ‘could overtake capital on air links to vital markets’

 
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London's position as the city with the best connections to high growth markets is under threat, mainly from Dubai, it was claimed today.

The City of London Corporation has published a report which suggests the capital has the best aviation links to 22 key countries whose economies are predicted to boom in coming years.

But the study by York Aviation also found that other European hub airports were better connected to some of the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa).

London led the way with flights to India and South Africa, compared with European rivals, and leap-frogged Amsterdam, Paris and Frankfurt on China links once services to Hong Kong were included. But without Hong Kong it was behind these three European cities.

It was also behind Frankfurt, Paris and Madrid for connections to Brazil, and Paris and Frankfurt had better links to Russia.

Dubai, with its non-European connections, is seen as the biggest threat to London as the leading hub city.

Mark Boleat, policy chairman at the City of London Corporation, said: “If London is to remain Europe’s business gateway our aviation infrastructure must be fit for purpose — not just now but for the long haul. That means making our infrastructure more resilient by adding the capacity. We cannot afford to stand still while our rivals build for the future.”

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