Dubai
Sharjah International Airport opened a new Dh500 million second runway on Wednesday that is capable of handling the world’s largest aircraft.
His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah and Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, inaugurated the new runway, according to a statement from the airport.
The first flight on the new runway was by the Ruler’s aircraft.
The runway, with a length that is just over 4 kilometres long (4,060 metres) and a width of 60 metres, is capable of handling the world’s largest aircraft the Airbus A380, Boeing 747-800 and the Antonov 225 type aircraft, according to Sharjah International.
Sharjah International has handled more than 7.2 million passengers in the first seven months of the year, up nearly 14.5 per cent compared to the 6.3 million passengers handled over the same period last year, according to data from the airports website.
Sharjah International is home to low-cost carrier Air Arabia, which also has hubs in Ras Al Khaimah, Egypt and Morocco.
Along with the new runway, eight new link taxiways and two high-speed runway exits were constructed as part of the project. Modern aeronautical lighting and airfield systems have also been equipped on the new runway.
Sharjah International said the project will increase connectivity between the runway, passenger terminal and cargo operations.
The new runway took two years to complete, according to Sharjah International.
