Dubai: The Ajman International Airport master plan was presented to His Highness Shaikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Ajman and high-ranking dignitaries of Spain, including Prince Bruno Gomes and Prince Fernando Gomez on Sunday.
The airport, to be built by a consortium of private developers, will be cover more than 60 million square feet, located 3.5 kilometres from Al Manama, Ajman.
It will accommodate commercial aircraft with a capacity of 1 million passengers a year rising up to 10.4 million by 2046, as well as cargo of at least 400,000 tonnes, and corporate aviation among other infrastructure capabilities.
"The cargo activities will take up 70 per cent of the airport services," a top official told Gulf News.
The airport will be developed by a number of companies, led by Spanish corporation Groupo Inmobiliario Whitelake. Others involved are ICTS Europe, Steel Law, Booz Allen Hamilton (BAH) and Fakhruddin Group, a UAE-based developer.
"Initial investment of Dh1.5 billion has come in from Spanish companies looking to develop the property and another amount was financed from local banks," Alex Mond, director of finance, Whitelake consortium.
Mond said that 25 airlines have sent letters of intent for landing rights but nothing has been confirmed yet. Adjacent to the airport, several residential and commercial properties will be developed to provide housing for employees of the airport and those of other investments in the airport area, officials said.
"The development around the airport will involve towers, villas and offices," said Mond, adding that the Whitlake consortium will develop significant portions of the airport as well as the "airport city".
BAH has been working on the overall business plan for the project as well as the concept among other things.
"It will take 6-12 months for the detailed design phase to be completed," Michael Burns, principal, BAH told Gulf News. He added that the construction of the airport as well as the city around it would begin after the designs are approved.
"There are niche services that can be provided by Ajman International Airport that are difficult for large airports to manage," said Burns.
He spoke of services involving cargo jets, general aircrafts and low-cost carriers, adding that this would make the project complementary rather than a competition to other airports.
Officials said that there is a huge market that Ajman can enter with the airport project.
"Through detailed analysis of South Africa, Middle East and UAE itself, we are seeing major growth," said Burns adding that Ajman has the potential to benefit.
"The relationship between the airport and the airport city will make this a unique project," said Burns.
The feasibility study was completed last year, with the next stage comprising of aeronautical survey, airport concept plan market and traffic survey.
Would you like to use the new airport when you travel? Will this move encourage you to invest in property in Ajman? Why? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com or fill in the form below to send your comments.
Your comments
Great news, Fantastic. Thank you, I can't wait to use this facility. I am confident this is going to be a business-tourist success!!! Congratulations once more.
Danuta
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: May 05, 2008, 13:14
Wowww!!! Great news, as Ajman is gearing up for boom, enjoyed by all GCC. Definitely this area will benefit from such kind of project.
waqar
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 05, 2008, 08:52
