Airport News
The north runway will be resurfaced, while new lighting and taxiways will be added to the southern runway to boost capacity.
The 80-day runway enhancement programme will start in May next year.
Scheduled passenger flights at DXB will be reduced and all freighter, charter and general aviation flights will be diverted to Dubai World Central (DWC).
The rehabilitation project will involve the placement of 180,000 tonnes of asphalt on the northern runway, 65,000 tonnes of asphalt and 70,000 cubic metres of concrete on the southern runway and taxiways as well as the installation of 3,000 runway lights.
Dubai Airports already closes each runway at DXB for five hours a week to conduct regular maintenance.
The southern runway will be closed from May 1 to May 31, 2014, while the northern runway will be out of operation from May 31 to July 20.
“Safety and service are our two top priorities,” said Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports. “While we regret any inconvenience caused to our airline customers and our passengers, these upgrades are necessary to heighten safety, boost capacity and quite literally pave the way for future expansion.”
Discussions are underway with airlines to reduce flight schedules during the 80-day period to protect service levels and optimise the capacity that is available at both airports.
Dubai World Central, which opens its doors for passenger operations on October 27, will be an available alternative to absorb affected scheduled passenger flights.
