At 260 million passengers per year, that's $6 per ticket on a 20 year payback. By my understanding this is affordable as JFK is around $15 per passenger in fees.
That also assumes that people will want to travel the same amounts in the future or that other hubs won’t also be expanding and competing. In my opinion the main problem with Dubai is there isn’t a reason to actually visit it or spend time there for most people. It’s hot, in a dusty desert, and the main attractions are luxuries like shopping. But maybe that’s why this proposal seems more based on business (shopping and logistics).
Yes Dubai is a satire, not a city. Most passengers don't stop but transit there. The reason they choose such route - Dubai is a hub that offers 1000s of routes.
My alternative is 1 extra leg to avoid Dubai or Qatar. Occasionally that works for me - I do have extra days and funds to checkout cities. Most people don't.
