The latest UAE airport developments

The proposed Midfield Terminal

Air traffic in the Middle East is the fastest growing in the world, and as such the UAE has been implementing various aviation projects in order to cater for the increasing number of passengers at their various airports.

Part of the Dubai World Central project that was launched two years ago at cost of US$33 billion, was the implementation of the world's largest airport, Al Maktoum International Airport and the DWC Aviation City.

In partnership with Dubai Logistics City, DWC Residential City, DWC Commercial City and DWC Golf City, the developments will serve the city's aviation, tourism, commercial and logistics requirements up to 2050 and beyond.

Once it is finished, Al Maktoum Airport will be twice the size of Hong Kong island and will have a population of more than 900,000 working and living within its borders.

Al Maktoum Airport update

The project is still in its first phase with most of the infrastructure being laid down and several construction contracts currently in the pipeline. Speaking to Gulf News, Khalifa Al Zafein, Executive Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation said the project was proceeding at "an aggressive pace".

"The investment that has already gone into the project is no less than Dh17 billion (US$4.63 billion)," he said. "We are also testing the market for the future phases. We are living in a time of difficulty now. Not because of what is happening in Dubai, but because there are a lot of future partners who are hesitating due to the economic situation."

When asked it he thought the financial downturn had affected the completion data, Al Zafein said, "If you had asked me this two years ago, the story would've been very different. I would've told you that we would be ready by 2025 for the ultimate phase of the airport. Now, I cannot say that. We have to see how we can prolong the life of Dubai International Airport and take some of the overspill capacity to this airport rather than having most of the airlines shift their base to the new location."

Abu Dhabi airport tower to be operational

Meanwhile in Abu Dhabi, the airport's new control tower and air traffic facilities are scheduled to be fully operational later this year as part of Abu Dhabi International Airport's US$6.8 billion airport expansion.

When it is finished, the Air Traffic Control Complex (ATCC) will be positioned midway between the two runways. It has been designed to include a five-storey technical and support building integrated with a 110-metre high visual control tower, which will be the tallest in the region.

As one would expect, it is equipped with state-of-the-art navigational and meteorological equipment.

The rest of the airport's expansion includes the opening of the centrepiece Midfield Terminal in early 2015. It will enable the airport's capacity to 20 million passengers per annum, with the Midfield Terminal serving as the base of operations for Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the UAE.

Expansions like these show the enormous lengths that the entire Middle Eastern area is expanding their air-infrastructure.

Relevant articles:
 
Airport cities taking flight in ME | Al Maktoum Airport | Saudi Arabia's airport modernisation plans

Timon Singh

Timon Singh is a graduate of Liverpool University where he received a degree in Social and Economic History. He has previously worked for BBC Magazines on BBC Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine, the publication for the popular genealogy show.

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