Al Maktoum Airport which is expected to eventually be the world’s largest Airport officially opens today on 27th June 2010 making the emirate of Dubai a two-airport city, as it aspires to build itself into a global logistics hub. The new airport in Dubai received its first test flight on the 21st June with Emirates Flight EK9883, a Boeing 777 freighter operating Hong Kong-Dubai.
During the live test operation at Al Maktoum Airport, the flight effectively tested Air Traffic Control procedures, airfield and taxi way signage and routes, radio communication and a host of processes and procedures related to ground and cargo handling such as fuelling, catering, customs, immigration and security.
Phase 1 of Al Maktoum Airport will feature one A380 capable runway, 64 remote stands, one cargo terminal with annual capacity for 250,000 tonnes of cargo and a passenger terminal building designed to initially accommodate 5 million passengers per year.
The enormous Al Maktoum International Airport will eventually be capable of handling around 160 million passengers per year and has been constructed to considerably ease the burden on Dubai International Airport when it opens to passenger traffic in 2011.
Dubai World Central Al Maktoum
Dubai Airports, the company overseeing airport projects in the emirate, said in a statement Dubai World Central-Al Maktoum International (DWC) started with 3 cargo flights operated by Rus Aviation, Skyline and Aerospace Consortium, with 13 other freight carriers signed up. Signed up cargo carriers for Al Maktoum Airport include Aban Air, ACI, Aviation Service Management, Coyne Airways, EuroAsian Services, Gatewick, Ramjet, Reem Style, Rial Aviation, Sonic Jet and SunGlobal.
CEO for Dubai Airports Paul Griffiths had the following to say about the opening on the new airport in dubai.
“Although it is a long term project, the need for a second airport in the near to mid-term is clear. Dubai International Airport currently has capacity for 2.5 million tonnes of cargo while volumes are expected to increase 48% to 3 million tonnes by 2015. On the passenger side we expect to see numbers skyrocket from the 41 million that passed through Dubai Airport in 2009 to 98 million by 2020 and 150 million by 2030.
The new Al Maktoum Airport’s facilities and connectivity to the Jebel Ali Port and Jebel Ali Free Zone by a bonded road is being acknowledged by early adopting airlines. We are delighted with the response from cargo operators who are seizing the opportunity.”
At 10 times the size of Dubai International Airport, Al Maktoum Airport is set to be the world’s largest passenger and cargo hub. With 5 runways, Al Maktoum Airport has initially today been opened to cargo traffic with passenger operations being phased in gradually.