Dubai: A total of eight airlines have applied for slots at Al Maktoum International, the city's second airport located at Dubai World Central (DWC), during the 80-day runway repairs at Dubai International.

These include flydubai, PAL Express, Jet Airways, Royal Brunei Airlines, Yemenia Airlines, Equatorial Congo Airlines, Malaysia Airlines and Ural Airlines, according to Dubai Airports.

Once given the green light, this couild bring to 14 the number of airlines operating out of DWC.

There are currently six airlines -- Wizz Air, Gulf Air, Jazeera Airlines, Qatar Airways, Eastern Horizon Airlines and Eastern SkyJets -- which already operate from Dubai's second international aviation gateway.

Repairs

Dubai Airports announced on Sunday that the number of flights at Dubai International will be reduced by 26 per cent during the runway repairs, which will start on May 1.

The project, which aimed at boosting safety, service and capacity levels, includes the resurfacing of the 4,000-metre northern runway, the upgrading of the runway lighting and the building of more taxiways and rapid exits on the southern runway.

“We have planned this project to optimise capacity while protecting service levels and, in conjunction with Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects, airlines and other stakehlders, have deployed all the resources necessary to make it as smooth and seamless as possible,” said Paul Griffiths, Dubai Airports’ chief executive officer, in a statement.

The work will last for 80 days, during which the runways will be closed — the southern runway from May 1 to 31 and the northern runway from May 31 to July 20.

Meanwhile, flights at Dubai’s second airport, Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central (DWC), are expected to increase since eight airlines that operate at Dubai International plan to use the airport while the repairs are being carried out.

More than 300 flights per week are expected to depart from Al Maktoum International during the upgrade. In total, more than 600 flights are expected to arrive and depart at Al Maktoum International.