Al Maktoum airport set for upgrade

After the expansion work, Al Maktoum International Airport will be capable of handling up to 26.5 million passengers per year by 2025. - Wam

The contractor Alec has signed an agreement to expand the passenger terminal building at Al Maktoum International Airport.
Al Jaber LEGT Engineering and Contracting (Alec) was appointed by Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects to increase the built-up area of the passenger terminal from the existing 66,107 sq m to 145,926 sq m. Work on this first phase of the project is set to be completed by June 2017. The expansion project will eventually see the airport handle up to 26.5 million passengers per year by 2025.
The contracting agreement with Alec was signed by Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, chairman and chief executive of Emirates airline and Group, and chairman, Dubai Aviation City Corporation.
Shaikh Ahmed said: "Today's announcement marks a historic milestone in the journey of Al Maktoum International which is set to become the world's largest airport. We are guided by the vision of our leader, His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to position Dubai as the aviation capital of the world. We are poised to significantly boost Dubai's economy by creating a world-class facility capable of handling the growing number of passengers visiting and transiting our city."
Al Maktoum International Airport will ultimately have the capacity to handle over 220 million passengers per year.
Shaikh Ahmed added: "Al Maktoum International is being designed to become an airport of the future. We are building a range of amenities and facilities that will increase capacity and significantly enrich the airport experience."
The proposed expansion will feature a new immigration hall for 55 control counters, visa and passenger utilities. The departure building will see the expansion of the public hall, commercial areas and offices as well as the check-in hall which will house 64 check-in counters. An additional 10 counters will be specifically dedicated to business check-in.
Expansions will also include 12 new boarding lounges and the extension of the emigration transfer and security area. A new baggage screening area for arrivals will be added while the current baggage reclaim area will see three new carrousels.
- business@khaleejtimes.com