JCDecaux SA, the number-one outdoor advertising company in Europe and Asia-Pacific and the second worldwide, announced on Wednesday that its subsidiary JCDecaux Dicon has entered into a 10-year contract with Dubai Airports for the exclusive advertising concession at Dubai International Airport. JCDecaux Dicon is 75 percent owned by JCDecaux, while its Emarati partner Dicon holds the remaining 25 percent stake. Dubai International will have an annual capacity of 75 million passengers following the completion of its ongoing expansion project. Two components of the expansion project, Terminal 3 and an airside facility, are now open, while a second A380-dedicated facility is under construction. Dubai International is expected to welcome more than 40 million passengers in 2008. Airports worldwide accounted for 4.6 billion passengers in 2007, representing a 5.6 per cent growth versus 2006, while passenger traffic in the Middle East rose by more than 15 per cent during the same period. This performance puts the industry on track for the predicted doubling of global air traffic by 2020. In 2007, Dubai International registered 19 per cent growth in passenger throughput, which totaled 34.3 million. This figure is expected to reach 60 million by 2012. In April 2008, Dubai International ranked 20th among city airports worldwide and number 10 among JCDecaux city airport concessions. JCDecaux is the advertising concessionaire for 145 airports worldwide, including 7 of the top 10: London, New York, Paris, Los Angeles, Dallas, Frankfurt and Beijing, as well as fast-growing airports such as Shanghai and Bangalore. Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said: “As the world's emerging aviation and logistics hub, Dubai Airports is keen to provide the best possible services and facilities to its customers. I am sure JCDecaux Dicon, as part of a world-renowned airport advertising company, will help us achieve our objective by raising the bar on the quality and technology in advertising.” Jean-Charles Decaux, chairman of the Executive Board and Co-CEO of JCDecaux, said: “We are delighted to be awarded this contract by Dubai Airports. This is a key contract in the development strategy run by JCDecaux in recent years in the Middle East as it positions JCDecaux in the largest and most visible airport in the region. This will be the showcase to become the leading outdoor advertising company in the Middle East. We will install innovative products with a strong digital and interactive component that will make Dubai International a benchmark for the industry. This new contract underlines JCDecaux's important growth potential to develop its activities in new markets and to strengthen its position.
