The crown prince of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, inaugurated on Sunday the Dubai 2001 Airshow and announced the construction of a third terminal at Dubai international airport and two more concourses at a cost of $1.4 billion.
Emirates made the second surprise announcement during the show, boosting the global airline industry with the biggest-ever order totaling Dh55 billion ($15 billion), through the purchase of 58 aircraft by the end of the decade.
A company press statement said that the order was divided between the two giant airlines companies, Airbus and Boeing.
Sheikh Ahmad bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Emirates' chairman, and his Boeing counterpart Seddik Belyamani signed a letter of intent for 25 more Boeing 777-200 and - 300 aircraft to be delivered between 2004 and 2010.
Emirates has also placed firm orders for 22 of the giant double-decker Airbus A380, with an option for 10 more.
The Airbus order was inked with Noel Forgeard, Airbus CEO. The statement said the total Boeing order was $6.6 billion while the Airbus order was $7 billion.
After cutting the red tradition ribbon, Sheikh Mohammad, who is also the UAE's defense minister, toured the 7th international aerospace exhibitions, familiarizing himself with the latest civilian and military products and technology in the aviation and aerospace industry.
According to Sheikh Mohammad, the event provides major aerospace manufacturers worldwide with a rare opportunity to display their latest services and products.
“Our country has transformed itself into a major player on the global stage, and our goal is now to expand its dynamic growth into every area of commerce, tourism and transport," Sheikh Mohammad was quoted by the Gulf News as saying.
The biennial event has established itself as one of the world's premier air shows alongside Farnborough in Britain and Le Bourget in France, said the Emirates’ official news agency (WAM).
The exhibition this year features over 450 companies from 33 countries, and includes 10 national pavilions.
Construction on the third terminal is expected to begin in early 2002 and finish in 2006. The mega cargo terminal will be built in phases and completed by 2018.
Terminal three, directly linked to concourse two, will be located beneath the apron and taxiway area. It will have first-class lounges and dedicated counters, restaurants, 180 check-in counters and 2,600 underground parking spaces, the Dubai-based daily said.
The Emirates-exclusive concourse two will be directly connected to terminal three and will have five aerobridges handling Airbus A380s.
It will be connected to concourse two by electric buses and will have 27 contact gates and 12 gates for A380s – Albawaba.com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
