Al Maktoum International celebrates fifth anniversary

The airport now has the capacity to handle one million tonnes of cargo a year, with the goal of expanding to being able to handle 16 million tonnes over the next 20 years.

By Staff Reporter

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Published: Tue 30 Jun 2015, 12:49 AM

Last updated: Wed 8 Jul 2015, 3:09 PM

Dubai - Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central celebrated its fifth anniversary on Saturday, having become of the world’s 20 busiest international cargo hubs.

The airport was officially opened on June 27, 2010, and managed 89,729 tonnes of cargo during its first year of operations, which rose to 824,932 tonnes in 2014 – an annual growth rate of 276 percent.

Reflecting the airport’s growing importance, in 2014 all dedicated cargo operators were shifted from Dubai International to Al Maktoum.

The airport now has the capacity to handle one million tonnes of cargo a year, with the goal of expanding to being able to handle 16 million tonnes over the next 20 years.

Additionally, passenger numbers have steadily risen since the opening of Al Maktoum’s passenger terminal on October 27, 2013, which in 2014 totalled over 800,000 passengers. During an 80-day period in which Dubai International was reduced to one-runway in 2014, Al Maktoum handled 600 flights per week.

“To see Sheikh Rashid’s vision of creating an international hub at Al Maktoum International mature into a major regional hub is tremendously gratifying. This is an achievement worth celebrating as well as an ideal moment to look forward and grasp the opportunity to cement the airport’s position as the world’s leading airport,” said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al Maktoum, chairman of Dubai Airports.

In the future, Dubai Airports plans to expand Al Maktoum’s passenger terminal to have the capacity to handle 26 million passengers.

Apart from the existing facilities, a $32 billion expansion plan was announced last year, which will create the world’s biggest airport, with a 240-million passenger capacity, five runways, four concourses and parking space for over 400 aircraft. -reporters@khaleejtimes.com


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