Airport open to passenger traffic

22 March 2011 10:51

The Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai is now open to passenger traffic

The Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai is now open to passenger traffic

Dubai Airports has announced the Al Maktoum International Airport is now ready to handle passenger traffic.

Launched in June 2010, the airport in Jebel Ali, Dubai, was initially opened to cargo traffic only.

But now the airport is prepared to deal with helicopter and passenger aircraft, with less than 60 passengers. It is expected to offer more options for people travelling to Dubai.

The opening of the airport to passenger traffic is likely to boost Dubai holidays, with more people taking out travel insurance to make a trip to the Arab nation.

Paul Griffiths, chief executive of Dubai Airports, said: "This is a significant development for Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International, which we foresee as developing into a major regional hub for general aviation in the years to come."

By the end of 2011, the airport may be able to handle about 40 movements every day. Authorities are hoping to develop it into a major international transport hub.

The operator further said the airport's annual capacity will eventually rise to 16 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo.

It will also be 10 times bigger in size than the existing Dubai International Airport and Dubai Cargo Village.

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