International airport in Dubai open to passengers

Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai is now open to passenger traffic and could increase options for those taking flights to Dubai.

Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai is now open to passenger traffic and could increase options for those taking flights to Dubai.

Potentially the world’s largest airport was initially opened to cargo traffic last year but is now accepting helicopter and passenger aircraft with less than 60 passengers, according to operator Dubai Airports.

“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,” said Paul Griffiths, chief executive of Dubai Airports.

It is expected that the airport will be able to handle around 40 movements per day by the end of the year and is set to develop into a major international transport hub for those taking flights to Dubai and connecting services to other worldwide destinations.

Eventually, annual capacity at the airport will reach 16 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo. The airport will also be ten times the size of the current Dubai International Airport and Dubai Cargo Village, with six parallel runways.

Written by Ruth Norris.