Dubai
International
Airport is
considered
the Middle
East’s
premier and
busiest airport.
In 2001, despite
the impact
of global
events, it
registered
a 10% growth
in passengers
throughput
which totaled
13.5 million.
The ACI traffic
statistics
have ranked
Dubai International
Airport as
one of the
fastest growing
airport in
the world.
Anticipating
the travel
demands of
the 21st century,
the Dubai
Department
of Civil Aviation
commenced
a US$540 million
expansion
program in
1997 which
was completed
with the opening
of the Sheikh
Rashid Terminal
in 2000. Dubai
International
Airport at
present has
the capacity
to handle
22 million
passengers
annually.
However, according
to projections,
30 million
passengers
are expected
to use Dubai
International
Airport by
2010. With
these figures
in mind, the
Department
of Civil Aviation
is set to
begin the
2nd phase
of expansion
costing US$
2.5 bn in
the first
quarter of
2002 to be
completed
by 2006. This
phase will
include Terminal
3, Concourse
2 and Concourse
3. (For details
check Future
Plan).
Remarkable
growth for
Dubai International
Airport –
16 million
passengers
register a
18% growth
in 2002
