Dubai International Airport is not only expanding quickly but has also recently won awards for ‘Best Airport’ in the Middle East, at the prestigious Business Traveller Awards in Germany, and the ‘Fastest Growing Airport’ and ‘Best Duty Free’, at the Naseba Middle East and North Africa (Mena) Airports Awards in Doha.
Dubai International Airport was established in 1959 when the late Ruler of Dubai, HH Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, ordered the construction of the first airfield. Located only 4 kilometres away from the city centre on a wide, level expanse of gravel and hard sand, the site was chosen not just for its proximity to town but also with future expansion in mind.
Passenger throughput at Dubai International reached 34.34 million in 2007 – up 19.3 per cent over 2006, the highest growth rate registered last year by any international airport. According to forecasts it is expected to handle around 60 million by the year 2010.
Dubai Duty Free also announced record-breaking results with sales for 2007 reaching Dh3.175 billion ($880 million), a 24 per cent increase over the previous year.
“Dubai International Airport has long been recognised as a premier airport in the Middle East and is fast emerging as a global hub, thanks to Dubai’s achievements in tourism, trade, aviation and logistics sectors,” said Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Group
