Dallas Mayor Eric L. Johnson will travel to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, next week to participate in the International Air Transport Association (IATA) World Cargo Symposium, a major annual event for the air cargo industry.
The trip, organized and sponsored by Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), where Mayor Johnson serves on the board of directors, will see the Mayor and other airport officials depart DFW on Sunday, April 13th, and arrive in Dubai on Monday. They are scheduled to spend three days at the symposium, engaging with various trade partners, before returning to DFW on the night of Thursday, April 17th.
“Dallas is the very definition of an international city, and I am excited to visit Dubai and strengthen the international relationships that fuel our economic growth and global significance,” said Mayor Johnson. “Dubai is a key trade partner for our region, and reinforcing these ties makes Dallas even stronger.”
Mayor Johnson further emphasized the importance of the trip, stating, “Maintaining a Dallas presence at the IATA World Cargo Symposium reinforces our strong trade relationships, and ensures that Dallas remains a leader in international commerce.”
The relationship between Dallas and Dubai is strengthened by Emirates (EK), which began service to Dallas in 2012 and currently operates seven weekly flights connecting the North Texas region with Dubai and beyond. In 2024, over 104,000 passengers and more than 2,400 U.S. tons of cargo traveled between the two cities on Emirates.
DFW Airport serves as a crucial link for both passengers and cargo between the United States and Dubai, while Dubai acts as a vital gateway connecting the Dallas region to the Middle East, Africa, and India. Texas leads the nation in air exports to these regions, totaling $6 billion annually, with $1.7 billion originating from the Dallas area. India and the United Arab Emirates are the top export trade partners in these regions for Dallas, with air exports to India exceeding $821 million and to the United Arab Emirates totaling over $339 million in 2024.
Mayor Johnson has previously undertaken international trips to Mexico, Qatar, Germany, France, and Switzerland to promote the city of Dallas on the global stage.
