Dallas Mayor Eric L. Johnson to attend International Air Transport Association World Cargo Symposium
DALLAS — Dallas Mayor Eric L. Johnson will travel next week to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to attend the International Air Transport Association (IATA) World Cargo Symposium — the largest and most prestigious air cargo annual event.
The trip has been organized and sponsored by the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). Mayor Johnson serves on the board of directors for DFW Airport. He and other airport officials will depart DFW on Sunday, April 13, and arrive in Dubai on Monday. They will spend the next three days at the World Cargo Symposium meeting with various trade partners before flying back to DFW on the night of Thursday, April 17.
“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.”
“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,” added Mayor Johnson.
Emirates (EK) began service to Dallas in 2012, connecting the rapidly growing North Texas region with Dubai. EK currently operates seven flights per week connecting Dallas to Dubai and beyond. In 2024, more than 104,000 passengers and over 2,400 U.S. tons of cargo traveled between Dallas and Dubai on EK, reinforcing the strong passenger and trade connections between the two regions.
DFW Airport connects both travelers and goods from across the United States to Dubai and beyond, while Dubai plays a pivotal role in linking our region to the Middle East, Africa, and India.
Texas leads the United States in air exports to these regions, totaling $6 billion annually, with $1.7 billion coming from the Dallas region. Our top export trade partners in these regions are India and the United Arab Emirates.
Dubai serves as a key gateway for Dallas to India. Air exports to India from Dallas in 2024 totaled more than $821 million. Air exports to the United Arab Emirates from Dallas in 2024 totaled more than $339 million.
Mayor Johnson has previously traveled to Mexico, Qatar, Germany, France, and Switzerland to promote Dallas on the international stage.
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