Dubai International Airport will close one of its two runways for 45 days starting in May, temporarily reducing capacity at the world's busiest international hub for upgrade work, operator Dubai Airports said.
The northern runway will be shut for refurbishment and some of its passenger flights will be handled by Dubai's second hub, Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), Paul Griffiths, chief executive of Dubai Airports, told The National on Tuesday.
DWC is scheduled to reopen its passenger terminal on May 4 for commercial flights for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic began, Mr Griffiths said.
DXB is the base for long-haul airline Emirates and discount carrier flydubai.
In 2019, the hub closed its southern runway from April 16 to May 30 for resurfacing and replacement of ground lighting.
“It's quite likely that we will continue to operate capacity in the [DWC] passenger terminal building through the summer because I think demand will suggest that's appropriate,” Mr Griffiths said.
“The agreement when we closed it was that all the carriers that operated from DWC will relocate to DXB and the idea is that once it reopens, they will move back there [DWC] to allow carriers at DXB to grow,” he said.
chief executive of Dubai Airports
DXB recorded a 12.7 per cent increase in annual passenger traffic last year to 29.1 million passengers, beating its own forecast and retain the title of the world's busiest international hub for the eighth consecutive year.
The operator is projecting the number of passengers by the end of 2022 to reach 55.1 million, as key markets reopen and more countries relax PCR-testing rules for vaccinated passengers, said Mr Griffiths, who has run state-owned Dubai Airports since 2007.
“I'm confident about the future and I'm very confident about Dubai's pre-eminent position as the world's largest international airport,” he said.
“I'm very positive about the outlook.”
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A health worker checks the body temperature of passengers bound for Frankfurt at Dubai International Airport. AFP -
Emirates Boeing 777 aircraft are seen on the tarmac at Dubai International Airport. AFP -
Passengers bound for Frankfurt board a shuttle bus at Dubai International Airport. AFP -
An Emirates aircraft takes off from Dubai International Airport. AFP -
A flydubai aircraft is parked on the tarmac of Dubai International Airport. AFP -
Passengers check in at Dubai International Airport. AFP -
An information board displays an alert for passengers to maintain distance from others at Dubai International Airport. AFP -
Mask-clad passengers bound for Frankfurt walk past check-in counters at Dubai International Airport. AFP -
A mask-clad employee walks in front of a flydubai aircraft on the tarmac of Dubai International Airport. AFP -
Passengers bound for Frankfurt wait at a terminal of Dubai International Airport. AFP -
Passengers bound for Frankfurt wait at a terminal of Dubai International Airport. AFP -
Passengers bound for Frankfurt wait at a terminal of Dubai International Airport. AFP -
Passengers wait at a terminal at Dubai International Airport, as Emirates resumed a limited number of outbound passenger flights. AFP -
Emirates Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft are seen on the tarmac at Dubai International Airport as the airline resumed a limited number of outbound passenger flights. AFP -
Passengers are assisted at the check-in counter in a terminal at Dubai International Airport. AFP -
Passengers have their travel documents checked before departure at Dubai International Airport. AFP -
Passengers have their travel documents checked before departure at Dubai International Airport. AFP
