Dubai
International Airport is considered the Middle Easts
premier and busiest airport. In 2001, despite the
impact of global events, it registered a 10% growth
in passengers throughput which totaled 13.5 million.
The ACI traffic statistics have ranked Dubai International
Airport as one of the fastest growing airport in the
world.
Anticipating
the travel demands of the 21st century, the Dubai
Department of Civil Aviation commenced a US$540 million
expansion program in 1997 which was completed with
the opening of the Sheikh Rashid Terminal in 2000.
Dubai International Airport at present has the capacity
to handle 22 million passengers annually.
However, according to projections, 30 million passengers
are expected to use Dubai International Airport by
2010. With these figures in mind, the Department of
Civil Aviation is set to begin the 2nd phase of expansion
costing US$ 2.5 bn in the first quarter of 2002 to
be completed by 2006. This phase will include Terminal
3, Concourse 2 and Concourse 3. (For details check
Future Plan).
Remarkable
growth for Dubai International Airport 16 million
passengers register a 18% growth in 2002