Due to the growing number of leisure and business travelers in Dubai, the International
Airport in Dubai has become one of the busiest airports of Middle East. From 9
airlines serving some 20 destinations in 1969, Dubai International Airport has
grown to accommodate 107 airlines connecting to over 160 destinations in 2004.
The Dubai International Airport strives to become the leading Civil Aviation Authority
in the world, and recognized as such by their customers, staff, other Civil Aviation
Authorities, national and international regulatory authorities, the Dubai Government
and the UAE community.
The Dubai Department of Civil Aviation had launched a US$540 million expansion
programme in 1997. It was designed to turn Dubai International Airport into
an even more user-friendly and efficient airport. This phase of expansion culminated
with the opening of Sheikh Rashid Terminal in April 2000. The passenger traffic
of Dubai International Airport rose up to 9.7 million in 1998 from a mere 4.3
million in 1988. In the year 2003, approximately 18 million passengers passed
through Dubai International Airport. In 2004 it catered to the needs of 21.7
million. Number of passengers is expected to rise up to 60 million by the year
2010.
To cater to the needs of growing number of tourists and maintain its international
standard another development program is being launched by the airport authorities
in the year 2006. This development program will cost around US $4.1billion for
Dubai International Airport and its affiliated divisions.
New construction of Dubai International Airport is mainly for Emirates Airlines.
It also comprise of underground third terminal and double size concourse. It
is also building another concourse for accommodating super jumbo aircraft A
380. With the completion of the project Dubai International Airport will be
able to handle 70 million passengers.
Main terminal of Dubai International Airport is terminal 1, which is being used
by all the international airlines. On the other hand, smaller airlines use smaller
Terminal 2. In order to get to and fro from Dubai International Airport, there
are several buses and taxis.
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