Dubai airports expansion to allow for 190 million passengers

Plans currently underway for the massive expansion of Dubai World’s Central International Airport as well as Dubai’s International Airport are reportedly running on schedule, say industry experts.

The Dh45 billion projects will enable the two airports to handle an estimated 190 million passengers to Dubai per year, according to Khaleej Times.

Dubai’s International Airport is set to begin full operation of its expanded facilities in 2007, while the Dubai World Central International Airport, whose expansion plans are estimated at Dh15 billion, is scheduled for operation with new facilities in 2008.

The Dubai International Airport construction project includes the addition of Concourse 2 and 3 along with the new underground Terminal 3, which will allow the passage of some 70 million passengers, explained halifa Al Zaffin, Director, Engineering Projects, Dubai Department of Civil Aviation (DCA).

The expansion of the Dubai World Central International Airport, on the other hand, involves Dh30 billion investment, Zaffin added.

The airport projects are two of three such airport expansion projects which are currently in the UAE. A third Dh25 billion expansion plan of the Abu Dhabi International Airport is also in the works.

Dubai's total investment in its aviation sector will reach Dh132 billion with the implementation of the two new programs, while in the GCC, overall projects are estimated at Dh140 billion.