In October 2019 Al Maktoum, as president of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), opened a quartet of sector-specific global food trade platforms at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC)

Al Maktoum serves as Chairman of the Dubai Free Zone Council. At its 13th meeting in 2019, which was chaired by Al Maktoum, the members discussed initiatives and proposals for long-term rental agreements or investors and free zone passports.

He is a graduate of the University of Denver. He married Egyptian socialite Nivin El-Gamal in 2007. She gave birth to their only child, Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum in Los Angeles in 2008. It was later reported that El-Gamal feared deportation from the United Kingdom where she resided. Court hearings took place, but Ahmed did not attend. Al Maktoum later married a first cousin twice removed (a regional tradition) in 2008. In 2011, his net worth was reported to be £19 billion ($31 billion), placing him first ahead of the King of Thailand on the list of royalty by net worth for that year.

Ahmed’s career in the aviation industry began in 1985, when he was appointed president of the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) (the governing body which oversaw the activities of Dubai International and Dubai Duty Free). Emirates, the national carrier, was launched at the same time, with Ahmed appointed chairman.

He has also been serving as chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline & Group since 1985.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum (Arabic: أحمد بن سعيد آل مكتوم ‎; born 1 December 1958) is president of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, CEO and chairman of the Emirates Group, chairman of Dubai World, and Noor Takaful insurance company. He is the current chancellor of the Middle East’s first research-based postgraduate university The British University in Dubai, chairman of the Dubai Supreme Fiscal Committee, and second vice chairman of the Dubai Executive Council. A billionaire member of Dubai’s ruling Al Maktoum family, he is believed to be one of the world’s wealthiest royals.

Sheikh Ahmed marries Sheikh Obaid’s daughter

Emirates Chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum on Friday married the daughter of Sheikh Obaid bin Thani Al Maktoum in one of the weddings of the year attended by royalty from across the UAE.

A wedding banquet in the couple’s honour was hosted by Dubai deputy ruler Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, state news agency WAM reported on Saturday.

The banquet was attended by Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Fujairah ruler Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammad Al Sharqi and Ajman ruler Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi.