Dubai: A number of airlines will switch operations to Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central, starting on Thursday, as the runway closure at Dubai International gets underway.
Dubai International, which has handled 18.3 million passengers in the first quarter, will undergo extensive runway maintenance work from May 1 until July 20. The planned work will see a phased refurbishment and upgrade to both the northern and southern runways.
The biggest name to land at Al Maktoum International will be local carrier flydubai. The company previously announced that it will operate select flights out of Dubai’s secondary airport; however, it has affirmed all operations will return to Dubai International once the runway work is complete.
Malaysia Airlines will operate all of its flights out of Al Maktoum International. The airline operates daily Kuala Lumpur-London services via Dubai. Fellow south-east Asia airline, Royal Brunei, will operate select flights. Its London-bound flights via Dubai will land at Al Maktoum International; however, its Brunei-bound flights via Dubai will stop off at Dubai International.
In a statement previously issued by Dubai Airports, the operator said 13 airlines have applied for slots at Al Maktoum International at DWC during the 80-day runway refurbishment programme.
Of the 13, seven have said they intend to temporarily relocate, including Pal Express, Yemenia Airlines, Equatorial Congo Airlines and Ural Airlines.
There are six airlines already operating at Al Maktoum International: Wizz Air, Gulf Air, Jazeera Airlines, Qatar Airways, Eastern Horizon Airlines and Eastern SkyJets.
Starting in May, Emirates SkyCargo, the airline’s cargo division, will permanently move operations to Al Maktoum International, with the airline running freighter trucks to transport cargo between the two airports.
Other airlines, such as Jet Airways, will temporarily shift operations to Sharjah International during the runway closure period.
