A $540 MILLION AIRPORT EXPANSION PROGRAM IS CURRENTLY UNDERWAY IN DUBAI TO ACCOMM0DATE THE ESTIMATED 12 MILLION TRAVELERS NEXT YEAR

It was the government's Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) that identified Dubai as an aviation industry crossroads more than a decade ago and inaugurated the very first Dubai Airshow, organized by a company called Fairs and Exhibitions. The first event had 200 exhibitors and welcomed 10,000 visitors. More than that, however, the DCA recognized the city of Dubai as an important gateway to a regional market of some 1.5 billion consumers in the Middle East, the Asian subcontinent, North Africa, the Eastern Mediterranean, and the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Having identified the need for a strong, modern hub city in a region where none existed, it launched an ambitious development program that has more than paid off in its brief history. In 1997, Dubai International Airport was ranked the sixth fastest-growing airport in the world by the Airport Council International.

In 1998, it handled 9.7 million passengers, an increase of 6.8% over the year before. Despite high traffic levels, it has won many international awards for service including one from the Conde Nast Traveller, whose readers ranked it the third best airport in the world.

"Since it was the travelers themselves who voted for us, it is a recognition of all our hard work and effort to provide excellent service to passengers," said Sheikh Ahmed.

The airport provides direct links to more than 136 destinations, which are served by 91 different airlines. The expansion of the UAE's national airline, Emirates, has also buoyed air traffic since it began operating in 1985. It currently serves 47 destinations and has more than $2 billion in the most advanced aircraft on order to serve growing passenger demand for its particular brand of high-quality service. Emirates has won 107 awards for excellence since its maiden voyage 14 years ago.

Passenger traffic through DCA will continue to increase at a rapid rate. Industry sources say that over the next year, the number of travelers using the airport will jump to 12 million. By 2010, current figures will touch 30 million passengers per year. To accommodate them, the DCA has embarked upon a $540 million airport expansion program that will be completed by March, 2000.

"Passenger movement has been growing steadily over the years, setting Dubai International Airport on the road to joining the top 20 airports in the world," Sheikh Ahmed observed.

In Dubai, the future is now. The first stage of the expansion program, a brand-new terminal, Terminal 2, was completed in May, 1998. It caters to scheduled, chartered and special interest flights. Terminal 1 is being completely renovated and expanded. Enhanced services here will include faster passport controls, better baggage handling and check-in facilities, with special considerations made for First Class and Business Class passengers. There will also be 221 passenger check-in counters for the quickest, most modern passenger-handling in the industry.

The jewel in the crown, however, will be the new, state-of-the-art Concourse, which is set to open in March, 2000. A unique structure made of shimmering blue-green glass panels, it measures almost a kilometer long and stands five stories high. There will be a boarding level with 55 "new generation" aircraft parking positions, 27 contact gates and 47 passenger loading bridges. Also part of the complex will be a 100-room, five-star hotel on the Concourse's upper two levels. It will include restaurants, a health spa and pool, and a fully-equipped business and conference center.