Billion Dollar Babie$

The region is out-doing itself to be the best in every way possible. Airports play a large role in attaining that position. So what exactly is going on?

The region’s airports are something to watch

These days, the GCC is getting downright dusty. Ever notice how the sky just refuses to be blue, preferring rather an opaque haziness? Some attribute all this dust in the air to “construction induced pollution”. This, they say, is the price of progress. Dubai is no exception, as the colossal undertaking of building the Al Maktoum International Airport is certainly swirling up dust and sand particles. Rather than look to bluer skies, we decided to check out all the new airport construction in the region, to see what’s happening.

Al Maktoum International Airport With a price tag checking in at US$82 billion, the Al Maktoum International Airport (JXB) will be a record breaker. Just to give you an idea, prior to JXB, the Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) was the most expensive airport to construct, and cost US$62 billion less, at a mere US$20 billion. The numbers on this still uncompleted project are staggering, and when the dust settles on construction, JXB will be the world’s largest passenger and cargo hub, sitting 10 times larger than Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Dubai Cargo Village combined.

Consider that with 16 cargo terminals and an annual capacity of 12 million tonnes, JXB will have more than three times the handling capabilities of Memphis International Airport (MEM), today’s largest cargo hub, and a passenger capacity of more than 120 million – almost 30 percent more than Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), currently the world’s busiest passenger airport. It will have the required volume to handle all next-generation aircraft, such as the A380 and Boeing 787, and will be able to facilitate up to four aircraft landing simultaneously, 24 hours a day, which should minimise in-air queuing.

Meanwhile, construction of the airport’s approximately US$75 million cargo terminal is more than 50 per cent complete. The first phase of the project will see the terminal initially handle 700,000 tonnes per annum. By 2013 it is expected to become the largest of its kind in the world, at full capacity and handling 12 million tonnes of cargo annually.

According to reports, JXB will be open to all foreign carriers. Emirates operations (both passenger and cargo) will remain exclusively at DXB. Plans call for a link between the two airports through a high-speed express rail system. “A customs-bonded road and rail corridor between the two airports will enable fast cargo and passenger movement,” says H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Airports.

In addition to the express rail, the Dubai Metro and designated light railway throughout Dubai World Central will also facilitate traffic in and out of JXB.

JXB Specifics- Al Maktoum International Airport will have six parallel runways, 4.5 kilometres in length, each separated by a distance of 800 metres (2,600 ft). It will also have over 100,000 parking spaces (most likely underground) for airport staff and passengers.

New Doha International Airport Built over 22 sq kilometres, half of which is reclaimed land, the New Doha International Airport (NDIA) airport will feature some 40 contact gates, 22 remote gates. NDIA’s hub will have a runway of 4.2 kilometres and a second one at 4.8 kilometres in length, each capable of handling the superjumbo A380s and 787s.

“The core business of the airport would be the transfer of passengers. We will definitely reach the 24 million-passenger mark in 2010,” says Abdul Aziz Mohammed Al Nuami, Chairman of Qatar’s Civil Aviation Authority.

Eventually, NDIA’s cargo facilities will be capable of facilitating 750,000 tonnes of cargo movement per year. One major staple of the project will be the multiple cargo aircraft maintenance centres, worthy of hosting aircrafts of all sizes. This capacity expansion seems to be the regional trend, as carriers’ ever-increasing size dictates such infrastructure upgrades.

An additional expansion phase, planned between 2020 and 2025, expects an ultimate airport capacity of 48 million passengers and 80 contact gates.

Abu Dhabi International Airport For the past few years Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) has been undergoing expansion. And with the proposed midfield terminal, they have no intention of stopping.

The new US$6.8 billion Abu Dhabi terminal will be opening in phases, beginning at the end of 2011. Once phase I is operational, the new airport will be able to accommodate 20 million passengers per year. Upon the completion of phase II, capacity is expected to increase to 40 million passengers.

“When it opens, the new midfield terminal at Abu Dhabi airport promises to be one of the finest passenger buildings in the world and as it is the first impression for visitors flying into the capital city of the UAE,” says Greg Brennan, Etihad’s Project Manager for the new midfield terminal. “The challenge will be to deliver this massive development on time, within budget and to the very highest of standards.”

One of the first parts of the project will be the construction of a second category III runway 2,000 metres north of the current runway. The new 4,100 metres parallel runway and taxiway will be able to cater for the latest generation of superjumbo aircraft. The development master plan also includes a large (mega) terminal building, a new 110 metre Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower, a cargo and logistics centre, maintenance facility and commercial area incorporating a free zone and associated retail development.

Kuwait International Airport Cargo operations at KIA are really flying high with the introduction of upgraded facilities dedicated to meeting the needs of Kuwait’s freight community. Already handling in excess of 126,000 tonnes of cargo annually, the launch of the new consolidation facility has boosted throughput by roughly 10 percent,enabling local forwarders to improve efficiency. The new facility is just one of a series of upgrades to the airport’s 8,000 cubic metre cargo complex, to ensure it doesn’t get left behind in the Gulf freight community. While in comparison to other regional airports it seems minimal, over KD1 million (US$3.1 million) has been invested in the last few years to modernise and expand KIA.

In addition to large quantities of belly hold cargo carried on scheduled passenger services, several airlines operate regular freighter flights to and from Kuwait. Comprising a 5,600 cubic metre import warehouse and 2,300 cubic metre export facility, KIA’s cargo terminal is equipped to handle a diverse range of traffic. With capacity for up to 600 tonnes of freight, the cargo complex boasts a range of specialised facilities, in addition to general storage, enabling it to handle any kind of consignment.

Kuwait International Airport can currently handle six million passengers a year and has a new terminal under construction that seeks to increase the annual passenger handling amount to 14 million. Terminal II is due for completion by the end of 2010.