By Shereen Shabnam

From building an ecosystem for the skies through aviation to nurturing the finest luxury brands on the ground, Mohi-Din Binhendi’s career is a testament to a vision that has significantly shaped Dubai’s aviation and retail sector. We meet with him at his home to talk about his 20-year legacy which he built with his team throughout his career.

Binhendi was nominated by a decree from the government for his job in 1977, so he took it as a personal challenge to make Dubai Airport number 1 and a leading regional hub under the direction of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai). The airport profile elevated further with the establishment of Emirates Airlines by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in 1985.

When Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum came on board, Binhendi was further inspired by his vision of turning a modest airstrip into one of the busiest airports in the world. Binhendi worked closely with figures like Sheikh Ahmed to oversee various transformative projects at Dubai Airport including enhancing the airport’s operational efficiency and service quality, which in turn supported Dubai’s broader economic and tourism strategies.

From the early days of his career in aviation working in a small airport with few flights a day, Binhendi feels proud of the achievements of this team.  Under Binhendi’s leadershipuntil 1998, the airport transformed into one of the busiest airports in the world, heralding the arrival of millions of travellers to the city. 

As the former Director General of Dubai Civil Aviation, BinHendi was instrumental in helping to transform Dubai Airport which has helped the city into becoming a vital hub that today caters to many of the world’s millionaires residing in the UAE together with entrepreneurs, innovators and expat families. The city is renowned for safety and tolerance.

Binhendi credits this also to the support of the government and talented professionalsincluding police, immigration, and the best customer relations team. Another factor for this success is because Dubai is positioned six to seven hours to major capitals in the world. Hence, Binhendi and his team started with a vision to make Dubai a gateway between the east and the west, which was achieved through relentless pursuit of excellence and strategic foresight.

BinHendi’s leadership helped to implement innovative concepts at the airport, such as Dubai Duty Free. His forward-thinking approach ensured that the airport not only supported the logistical needs of air travel but also contributed significantly to the emirate’s economic diversification efforts.

For instance, the concept of the Millennium Millionaire raffle boosted the reputation of the airport and increased customer engagement with travellers. The car raffle was a first by an airport globally which created a buzz amongst all passengers. Another success was bringing the ATP tennis to the city, which became one of the most successful events sponsored by Dubai Duty Free.

Recognizing the need for expert retail management, BinHendi orchestrated a strategic move by inviting twelve seasoned professionals from Shannon Airport, a model of successful duty-free operations, to elevate the retail experience at Dubai Airport. Among these, the late Colm McLoughlin was handpicked by BinHendi to oversee Dubai Duty Free, a decision that proved pivotal. McLoughlin’s leadership was instrumental in transforming Dubai Duty Free into one of the largest airport retail operations in the world, significantly contributing to the airport’s prestige and revenue.

BinHendi attributes much of his success to the collaboration and support of a dynamic team. This includes the critical security enhancements led by Mr. Dhahi Khalfan, head of Police, whose team’s efforts ensured that Dubai Airport remained one of the safest travel hubs globally. Furthermore, the operational excellence at Dubai Airport was significantly supported by DNATA’s outstanding ground services and the strategic foresight of Emirates Airlines under Maurice Flanagan’s leadership. 

Through these collaborative efforts and strategic leadership, BinHendi and his team helped forge a legacy of innovation and excellence at Dubai Airport, propelling it onto the international stage and setting a benchmark for airport service quality worldwide.

Many dignitaries have been impressed by Dubai Airport too but Margaret Thatcher, during her tenure as Prime Minister visited Dubai and mentions it in her memoir that Dubai Airport was more organized and aesthetically pleasing in comparison to Heathrow. Being complimented by world leaders certainly motivated the team further at the Dubai airport.

Transitioning from aviation to retail and design, BinHendi’s foray into the world of fashion is also woven into the fabric of Dubai’s development. He was a known name in Italy for luxury and fashion so the evolution into the field was inevitable. Binhendi capitalized on his understanding of luxury markets to establish BinHendi Fashion, a conglomerate thathas over time introduced over 80 luxury brands to Dubai. 

His strategy was to create and cultivate a retail environment that mirrored his personal passion for luxury, believing that one should only sell products they would buy for themselves. This philosophy led to the introduction of many firsts in the region, including the first Pierre Cardin boutique and brands like Brioni and Boss, attracting high-end shoppers from around the globe.

Binhendi’s interest in aesthetics extends beyond his business ventures into the realm of personal passion for interior design. Currently he is into furniture retail, interior business as well as architecture under the firms Binhendi Design and Binhendi Architects, with a global team of professional experts working on homes and shops. His other brands include Baituti Home, B&B Italia, Maxalto, Flos, Graff, Louis Poulsen, Glas Italia and mdf italia under the Binhendi Group. 

Recently, Binhendi oversaw the design of his own residence, ensuring that every element reflected his taste and lifestyle, blending modern elements with classic design to create a space that is both luxurious and welcoming. Another passion of Binhendi lies in F&B concepts, with Japengo being his best homegrown brand. Now his son follows his footsteps and overlooks the Group’s other F&B concepts.

An avid sportsman, Binhendi finds balance in life through his love for fishing, which he pursues with the same vigor that he applies to his businesses. These ocean outings allow him reflective moments away from the bustling city life, connecting him with nature and providing a source of inspiration and renewal. Bonus is him being able to take picture frame worthy images with the big Marlins he catches on his fishing trips. 

Binhendi adds, ‘If you love the ocean, you have to be fit.’ Understanding the importance of health in maintaining a high-energy lifestyle, Binhendi incorporated a state-of-the-art gym in his home with stunning views of the beach and ocean, where he engages in regular workouts as part of his broader philosophy of living a balanced life.

Today, as Dubai continues to flourish as a cosmopolitan metropolis known for its safety, tolerance, and luxury, Binhendi’s contributions are evident. His efforts have helped elevate the city’s economic profile and his legacy is that of a visionary who has helped shaped Dubai’s aviation journey. He states that “In the past, people said all roads lead to Rome – but today, all roads lead to Dubai”. 

On the personal front, Binhendi is most proud of his family and their achievements, and he continually strives to build a noteworthy legacy for them. His life and work continues to inspire those who strive to work hard to turn visions into reality.

Today, Binhendi remains a dynamic figure in Dubai’s story, a city that dreams as boldly as he does and aims for those dreams with determination. He is thankful to the rulers, his team and everyone else who has helped elevate Dubai’s status on the world stage, making it a central point in international air travel and a beacon of futuristic urban development.

#MohiDinBinHendi #AviationPioneer #DubaiAviation #LegacyOfExcellence #ShapingDubai #AirportInnovation #MillenniumMillionaire #LuxuryRetailDubai #VisionaryLeadership #AllRoadsLeadToDubai