Planes flying over Mirdif keep newcomers abuzz

While long-time residents in Mirdif got used to it, newcomers and visitors are shocked by planes flying over Mirdif.

People living in Mirdif have learnt to live with it, but any visitor or newcomer is flabbergasted when they first see an airplane ascending right above their heads in this residential area. The plane flies close enough to be able to identify its destination and the sound of the engine is overwhelming; any conversation taking place has no chance of succeeding when the plane crosses over Mirdif.

The residential area Mirdif lies south-east of Dubai International Airport, only separated from its airstrip by the intersection where Emirates Road and Airport Road cross. Take-off has barely taken place when the plane flies over the area and covers the streets in shades, something residents are witnessing about every 5 minutes.

“It is quite horrific when you see it for the first time, says Sara Mustafa, a 16-year-old Palestinian who has been living in Mirdif for the past eight years. “It took me a while to get used to it.”

Olivia says it does not bother her anymore. “I got used to it and I do not hear it anymore,” the Macedonian lady says. “But when my friend is coming over, I realize it is there. She really gets bothered by it.”

Residents of the area are generally happy people. Everything is around. “There is a mall, a hair salon, restaurants, a place for the kids to play and there is always a place to park when you need to visit these places,” says Abdullah Hanna, a Lebanese resident in Mirdif.

However, Abdullah believes he is paying too much for a house in a place with such noise pollution. “Prices should be low in an area in close proximity to an airport. If I paid less, I would be better able to accept the noise.”

And there are vibrations too. “I can feel it when the plane flies over my house,” says Abdullah. It is worse at night. I sometimes wake up from it.” 

According to residents not all planes create the same level of noise when flying over Mirdif. “Emirates Airline has relatively quiet airplanes. But there are other ones, mostly the Russian planes that have not yet implemented sound limiting technologies,” says Abdullah referring to the high bypass engines that are present in most modern airplanes and limit the sound pollution created by the low bypass engine.

Rather than being bothered by the noise or vibration, some residents are frightened by the plane flying close over their houses. “I am afraid it will crash when I see it passing by so closely,” says a Philippine lady who works as a maid for a family in Mirdif but does not give her name.

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