Al Maktoum Airport to open first phase on 27-Jun-2010

UAE's Dubai Civil Aviation Authority President, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, confirmed Dubai World Central (DWC) plans to open the first phase of its 140 sqm project, with the opening of the USD10 billion Al Maktoum International Airport (AMIA) for cargo operations on 27-Jun-2010 (Emirates Business 24/7, 01-Jun-2010). Phase I at AMIA will will open with a single runway and capacity to handle five million passengers and 250,000 tonnes of cargo p/a. Capacity at AMIA is expected to eventually increase to 160 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo p/a with the completion of Phase II. The second phase will increase the airport's runways to five. Dubai Airports is targeting an increase in passenger traffic to 46 million in 2010 and 100 million by 2020, with the opening of AMIA and expansion of Dubai International Airport (DIA). DIA is being expanded to handle 75 million passengers p/a alone.