New Projects

The growth of Dubai can probably be best seen through the increase in passenger traffic. Over the last ten years passenger throughput increased by 125% going from 4.3 million in 1988 to reach 9.7 million in 1998. Dubai International Airport was ranked as the 2nd fastest growing airport in the world according to ACI traffic statistics for 2002. In 2003, it catered to 18 million passengers, while in 2004 Dubai International Airport attracted 21.7 million. According to projections, 60 million passengers are expected by 2010.

To meet the travel needs of the influx of travellers and airlines, the government of Dubai has committed to a major expansion plan of US $ 4.1 bn for Dubai International Airport and its affiliated divisions. This expansion program is designed to turn Dubai International Airport into an even more user-friendly and efficient airport in order to maintain the Emirate's position as the aviation and business hub of the region.

The new expansion programme includes construction of Terminal 3, concourse 2 and concourse 3 all dedicated for Emirates airline and a Mega Cargo Terminal. Construction work for Terminal 3, concourse 2 and concourse 3 is scheduled to be completed by 2006. With the completion of this phase, Dubai International Airport will have the capacity to handle close to 70 million passengers a year, its present capacity being 22 million.

Airport 2006

The Department of Civil Aviation began the second phase of its expansion programme in the first quarter of 2002 which is scheduled to finish by early 2007. The second phase will involve the construction of Terminal 3, Concourse 2 and Concourse 3 which will be a dedicated facility for Emirates Airline. With the completion of the 2nd phase Dubai International Airport will have the capacity to handle 70 million passengers. According to forecasts it is expected to handle around 60 million by the year 2010.
Cargo Mega Terminal

The Dubai Cargo presently can handle over a million tonnes per annum. Current growth forecasts however predict that additional major cargo handling facilities will be required in order to satisfy demands and consequently expansion programme is currently underway to complete the Cargo Mega Terminal which will have the capacity to handle 5 million tonnes of freight.

Phase 1 of the Cargo Mega Terminal, due to the highly specialized nature of its operation, installed equipment and systems, will be implemented through a cargo handling equipment specialist and an international building contractor, where the development and construction of the facility will be completed by the end of 2004.

The main components of the project are:
  • Hall 'B' Express Mail Centre
  • Cargo Mega Terminal
  • Administrative and Agents Facilities
  • Multi-storey car park
  • Elevated Roadway
  • Central Utility Plant
  • Mosque and Amenities
  • Flower Centre
Flower Center

The project is to be sited on a very prominent location within the Dubai International Airport premises with its 300 m long principal elevation facing directly onto the busy Sharjah-Dubai highway and accordingly an innovative and striking architectural design has been conceived to reflect the modernity and progressive image of Dubai International Airport.

The centre is to be developed in three phases and the level of automation for processing flower products will be enhanced over 5 to 7 years from a semi-automated system with manual sortation to a fully automated facility.

The centre when fully developed and automated will have a floor area of about 100,000 sqm providing for export chambers and offices apart from product break down and buildup stations and automated sorting areas. The handling capacity of the centre is anticipated to exceed 300,000 metric tones of product throughput per annum. The entire facility (with the exception of offices) will be maintained at an ambient temperature of just 2-4 degrees Centigrade and accordingly.

The total cost for the project for the first two phases is estimated at US$ 50m. The flower centre is scheduled for completion in end of 2005.