Dubai: The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has completed phase one of the access road network to Al Maktoum International Airport in Jebel Ali.
Motorists will now have easy access from Emirates Road and Dubai Bypass Road to the new airport.
The cost of the project was Dh25 million.
Engineer Maitha Obaid Bin Udai, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the RTA's Traffic and Roads Agency said that all road works necessary for opening the initial phase of the airport entry and exit points have been completed.
"The RTA has constructed several roads, added a number of lanes, and completed many diversions in order to ensure fast and direct access to the airport without impacting the flow of traffic on Emirates Road and the Bypass Road," said the official.
Meanwhile, Dubai joined an elite group of two-airport cities today when Dubai Airports officially opened Dubai World Central — Al Maktoum International (DWC) for cargo operations welcoming inaugural flights operated by Rus Aviation, Skyline and Aerospace Consortium.
"Phase 1 is the first step in a long infrastructure development project that over time will see our new airport transformed into the world's largest global gateway and a multi-modal logistics hub that plays an increasingly integral role in the ongoing economic and social development of Dubai." said Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Airports.
"It is a proud day for Dubai and an auspicious occasion for the future of global aviation."
Phase 1 of the airport will feature one A380 capable runway, 64 remote stands, one cargo terminal with annual capacity for 250,000 tonnes of cargo and a passenger terminal building designed to accommodate five million passengers per year.
When completed, Dubai World Central-Al Maktoum International will be the largest airport in the world with five runways, four terminal buildings and capacity for 160 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo.
Long-term project
"Although it is a long term project, the need for a second airport in the near to mid-term is clear," said Paul Griffiths, CEO, Dubai Airports.
