Dubai boasts of one of the world’s busiest airports with world class leisure facilities that compare favourably with Heathrow and Frankfurt.

Connected to over 205 destinations across six continents through 120 airlines, the Dubai International Airport has grown at an unparalleled average of over 15 per cent annually since 2002.

Dubai International accounts for over 27 per cent of all passenger and aircraft movement in the Middle East and Africa region. Riding on a $ 4.5 billion expansion plan, the airport will open its new terminal and an associated facility mid of 2008 and another A380 specific facility in 2009, tripling its total capacity to 75 million PPA.

The Dubai International airport handled a total of 34 million passengers, well over the projected 33 million for the year 2007 and earned the distinction of being one of fastest growing airports in the world. The Dubai International airport expects to handle 40 million passengers in 2008 and 60 million in 2010.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) and Chairman of Dubai Airports, said: “Dubai International’s growth is a reflection of the rising popularity of Dubai as an international commercial and tourism hub. It is also a clear sign of our intent and vision for the future of the aviation sector in Dubai.”

The record growth is likely to propel Dubai International higher on ACI’s (Airports Council International) list of the world’s busiest airports (in terms of international passengers). In 2006 Dubai International was ranked 10 on the list with a passenger throughput of 28.78 million.

The overall growth in 2007 resulted in increased aircraft movement at Dubai International, registering an increase of 9.81 per cent. The airport handled a total of 260,530 movements in 2007 as against 237,258 in 2006. The busiest period for the airport in terms of aircraft movement was in December with over 23,309 aircraft movements. On an average, there are 725 aircraft movements per day at Dubai International.

DUBAI WORLD CENTRAL – AL MAKTOUM INTERNATIONAL

Work is already in progress on a project to build the world’s largest airport -- Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International that will have capacity to cater to 120 million passengers annually and handle 12 million tonnes of cargo at its 16 air cargo terminals.

The first runway at has been completed on time in the projected 600 days - an aviation record for the fastest A-380 enabled 4.5 kilometre CAT III runway construction. Built by UAE's Al Naboodah Contracting for Dhs. 1 billion (USD272.5 million), the runway is the first tender to be fully executed within Dubai World Central - the mammoth 140 square kilometre urban aviation community, which is centred around Jebel Ali.

Source : GoDubai