Dubai Airports embarks on massive expansion plans

The company will recommend about boosting capacity within the next couple of months, said Paul Griffiths, Chief Executive Officer at Dubai Airports.

Dubai plans to move ahead with expanding its current airport and building a new one. The aviation sector contributes to 25 percent of the emirate’s economy, according to Griffith, as Dubai has invested in facilities and Emirates Airline to makes up for lack of oil reserves.

Being the 17th biggest Airport worldwide, in terms of passengers handled, last year the airport handled 40.9million travelers, an increase by 9.2 percent. The airport operator expects passenger numbers to grow by 13.6 percent this year, touching 46million.

Dubai airport ’s capacity will grow to 75million passengers a year in 2012 from 60million. This will be followed by an increase to 97million, Griffiths pointed out.

UAE is also building the Al Maktoum Airport, eventually intended to have a capacity of 120million passengers.

Posted on 1/2/2010

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