Ajman airport at final approval stage

The Ajman Government is in the process of obtaining final approvals from the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to carry out its $600 million (Dh2.2bn) airport project.

A reliable source from White Lake, the company that was awarded the project, told Emirates Business that preliminary approvals have been obtained and is working to obtain some others needed.

Yesterday, His Highness Shaikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Ajman received in his office Mohammed Al Mansoori, Minister of Economy and Head of GCAA and discussed details of the project.

"We are working closely with GCAA and have included some specifications as per the authority's regulations and requirements. We are looking to obtain final approvals soon," he said. "The authority has certain rules that should be met for granting approvals. We have added some modern requirements and accordingly amended our studies." A feasibility study conducted by ICTS Europe, an aviation specialist and Booz Allen Hamilton, an international consultancy firm. A consortium of specialised Spanish, European and local companies are taking part in the project, he said.

Spread over six million square metres at Al Manama area of the emirate, the airport is scheduled to start operation by 2011 and will be executed on two phases, he said.

Despite Ajman being a relatively small area, sufficient land to build the airport and its 3.5 km length runway is available, the source said, denying rumours about land shortage. The airport's specifications will allow it to receive giant civil aviation and cargo crafts, he said. The first phase is expected to complete in 18 months and the second phase may take up to 36 months from the date of starting execution. The first phase will comprise the terminal buildings for arrivals and departures, runway, cargo complex and aircraft maintenance workshop, among others.

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