Dubai World Central-Al Maktoum Airport opened on 26-Jun-2010

UAE's Dubai World Central-Al Maktoum International Airport was opened on 26-Jun-2010 (AFP/business24-7/WAM/khaleejtimes, 27-Jun-2010). Three air freight companies (Rus Aviation, Skyline and Aerospace Consortium) have now commenced operations from the new airport with 12 others due to follow (including Aban Air, ACI, Aviation Service Management, Coyne Airways, EuroAsian Services, Gatewick, Ramjet, Reem Style, Rial Aviation, Sonic Jet, SunGlobal and United Aviation Services), with the airport having capacity to handle 250,000 tonnes of cargo p/a in Phase I (Phase I features a A380 capable runway, 64 remote stands, a cargo terminal and a passenger terminal). Passenger traffic is scheduled to commence in Mar-2011, with an annual capacity of 5 million passengers. When completed, the airport will have five runways and capacity for 160 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo p/a.

Meanwhile, Dubai Airports CEO, Paul Griffiths, stated there is need for a second airport in the near to mid term, stating: "Although it is a long-term project, the need for a second airport in the near to mid-term is clear. Dubai International currently has capacity for 2.5 million tonnes of cargo while volumes are expected increase 48% to three million tonnes by 2015. On the passenger side we expect to see numbers skyrocket from the 41 million that passed through Dubai International in 2009 to 98 million by 2020 and 150 million by 2030."

Meanwhile, UAE's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced (27-Jun-2010) the completion of all engineering and construction works on roads branching out of Emirates Road and Dubai Bypass Road. [more]