DUBAI INTERNATIONAL
Dubai International is not just the Middle East’s premier and busiest airport; it is also one of the fastest growing in the world. Since 2002, Dubai International has maintained an average annual growth of 15 per cent in passenger throughput and a near double-digit growth in cargo tonnage as well.

Dubai International is ranked 10th in terms of passenger throughput on Airport Council International’s (ACI) worldwide list.

In 2006, it registered 16 % growth in passenger throughput, which totalled almost 29 million. With passenger throughput reaching 25.4 million passengers in the third quarter this year, it is expected that the annual figure for 2007 will be in excess of 33 million – 8 million over the facility’s current annual capacity of 25 million PPA. By the year 2010 this figure is expected to reach 60 million.

Dubai International is undergoing a massive US$4.5 billion expansion, which will add a new terminal and two concourses – one of which will become the world’s first A380-dedicated facility of its size when it is completed in 2009. The other concourse as well as the new terminal are nearing completion and will be opened in May 2008. The entire expansion will triple Dubai International’s current capacity to 75 million PPA.

AL MAKTOUM INTERNATIONAL AT DUBAI WORLD CENTRAL
Even as Dubai International’s expansion nears completion, work is already in progress on a project to build the world’s largest airport barely 40 kilometres away. Upon completion the Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central 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, control tower and associated infrastructure are scheduled for completion by the end of 2008. Thereafter, a comprehensive operational readiness and training programme will start to ensure the smooth entry into operational service of Al Maktoum International during 2009.

Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central and Dubai International will be connected via a high-speed metro link – Dubai Metro’s Purple Line, allowing passengers rapid movement between the two airports. Passengers will be able to check in at the Purple Line’s three main stations.

An estimated US$ 33 billion will be invested in phases in Dubai World Central. The first phase is already underway and involves the development of infrastructure for the US$10 billion international airport, the Dubai Logistics City, Residential City, Commercial City, the Enterprise Park and a Golf Resort.

The development of the airport is necessary to consolidate Dubai’s position as the world's emerging centre for commerce and business.