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
