Dubai: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai is touring Dubai World Central-Al Maktoum International – the world’s biggest greenfield airport project which has been planned to handle 160 million passengers per annum when completed.
Shaikh Mohammad was given a briefing while on the tour of the airport by senior officials led by Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority who is also Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group.
Once complete, the airport will have five parallel runways, six concourses, two terminals – all interconnected through tunnels and automated people movers that will be able to serve 160 million passengers and handle 12 million tones of cargo.
Shaikh Mohammad ordered the development of Dubai World Central-Al Maktoum International, which will be the centerpiece of the 140-square kilometer development that is to host six clusters linked to aviation and logistics - in 2005.
Subsequently, the first runway was built surrounding the Dubai Logistics City – one of the key component of Dubai World Central – which is being viewed as a complete airport city.
Dubai International – the existing airport that was launched in 1960 that served more than 41 million passengers – is also undergoing the final phases of development with a fourth terminal and concourse under construction. Once complete, it will have a passenger handling capacity of 90 million passengers.
By 2025-2030, Dubai’s two airports could have passenger capacity totaling 250 million passengers – making Dubai world’s fourth biggest aviation hub.
Thursday’s formal opening marks the beginning of a new chapter in the region’s aviation history.
