Dubai Airports names new leaders to boost tech, operations

Dhaka: Dubai Airports has announced three senior leadership appointments aimed at strengthening its technological, operational, and national talent capabilities as it prepares for the next phase of growth across Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC).

The changes include two internal promotions and one new hire. Kan Ni moves up from Vice President, Airport Operations Control Centre (AOCC), to Senior Vice President, Airport Operations. Khalid Ishaq rises from Head of AOCC Integration to Vice President, AOCC.

Alongside these promotions, Ahmad Al Bastaki has joined the organization as Vice President, Technology Operations and Cybersecurity, within the Business Technology division.

Dubai Airports said each appointment reflects its continued investment in leadership capabilities needed to support the growth and ambitions of Dubai's aviation sector.

Majed Al Joker, Chief Operating Officer at Dubai Airports, said the company's ability to deliver safely, efficiently, and at scale depends on the strength of its people, the resilience of its systems, and how teams work together as one airport community.

He added that the appointments reinforce the leadership capability needed for the future, combining specialist technology expertise, operational experience, and strong Emirati talent in areas increasingly central to airport performance and resilience.

Together, the promotions of Kan Ni and Khalid Ishaq further strengthen AOCC, the real-time operational nerve center that coordinates the daily movement of roughly 200,000 guests through DXB.

Kan Ni has played a central role in developing AOCC into a platform for coordinated, data-led decision-making across DXB's operations. That capability was on display during a recent period of regional airspace constraints, when he guided his teams through a rapidly shifting operating environment.

Khalid Ishaq joined Dubai Airports in 2005 and has built extensive expertise across its operational systems over two decades. His promotion reflects the company's ongoing commitment to developing national talent, with Emiratis representing 75% of the management team, supporting national priorities including Nafis and the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.

Ahmad Al Bastaki's appointment strengthens technology leadership at a time when airports increasingly function as technology businesses. He will oversee cybersecurity, service management, and infrastructure operations.

Dubai Airports said the appointments support its continued focus on operational excellence, guest experience, digital transformation, and future capacity.