Airport terminal boost for Dubai
DUBAI: With the opening of a huge new airport terminal in Dubai this week, the emirate's economic future became more closely intertwined with the world's biggest passenger jet.
Emirates, Dubai's state-owned flagship airline, began flying from the world's first airport terminal purpose-built to handle Airbus A380 superjumbos. The 528,000 sqm terminal cost over $3 billion to build and has 20 gates with double-decker bridges to move passengers on and off the twin-deck A380s.
It is a large, and some say risky, bet on the future of a single plane. But because of its size, the A380 has emerged as an important part of Dubai's plans to keep its economy growing by developing its tourism and retail businesses.
"Emirates' strategy is for Dubai to become an aviation hub between Europe and Asia-Pacific," said Zafar Khan, aerospace and defence analyst at investment bank Societe Generale in Britain. "With planes like the Airbus A380, airlines can shift large volumes of traffic. Of course, the trick is to fill up these planes."
Emirates has been a key customer for the A380 since the plane began flying commercially in 2007. It is the largest single buyer of the superjumbo and now operates 31 of the planes, with a further 59 ordered and yet to be delivered.
Dubai has recovered from the corporate debt crisis and real estate crash which it suffered in 2009-2010 by becoming a magnet for travel and investment from the Middle East, India and Europe.
Dubai ruler Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, announced plans in November to build a tourism and retail complex that would include the world's largest shopping mall and 100 new hotels.
Key to those plans, he said, is boosting annual airport passenger traffic through Dubai above 90m in next six years.
In addition to Dubai International Airport, the emirate aims by the end of this year to open its new Al Maktoum International airport for passenger traffic. That facility, which began cargo operations two years ago, is designed to cater to 160m passengers.
DUBAI: With the opening of a huge new airport terminal in Dubai this week, the emirate's economic future became more closely intertwined with the world's biggest passenger jet.
Emirates, Dubai's state-owned flagship airline, began flying from the world's first airport terminal purpose-built to handle Airbus A380 superjumbos. The 528,000 sqm terminal cost over $3 billion to build and has 20 gates with double-decker bridges to move passengers on and off the twin-deck A380s.
It is a large, and some say risky, bet on the future of a single plane. But because of its size, the A380 has emerged as an important part of Dubai's plans to keep its economy growing by developing its tourism and retail businesses.
"Emirates' strategy is for Dubai to become an aviation hub between Europe and Asia-Pacific," said Zafar Khan, aerospace and defence analyst at investment bank Societe Generale in Britain. "With planes like the Airbus A380, airlines can shift large volumes of traffic. Of course, the trick is to fill up these planes."
Emirates has been a key customer for the A380 since the plane began flying commercially in 2007. It is the largest single buyer of the superjumbo and now operates 31 of the planes, with a further 59 ordered and yet to be delivered.
Dubai has recovered from the corporate debt crisis and real estate crash which it suffered in 2009-2010 by becoming a magnet for travel and investment from the Middle East, India and Europe.
Dubai ruler Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, announced plans in November to build a tourism and retail complex that would include the world's largest shopping mall and 100 new hotels.
Key to those plans, he said, is boosting annual airport passenger traffic through Dubai above 90m in next six years.
In addition to Dubai International Airport, the emirate aims by the end of this year to open its new Al Maktoum International airport for passenger traffic. That facility, which began cargo operations two years ago, is designed to cater to 160m passengers.
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