Al Maktoum Airport passenger terminal opens

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has welcomed the inauguration of passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport, deeming it a platform to develop Jebel Ali as an industrial and logistic hub that contributes to Dubai’s development in all aspects and diversify the UAE's economy.

He added that the airport will be the biggest in the world once completed, noting that it had always been in the mind of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, an idea that has now become a reality.

Sheikh Mohammed made the remarks, while inaugurating on Sunday morning the passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport in Jebel Ali.

He unveiled a ceremonial plaque installed in the entrance of the departure terminal commemorating the occasion of the inauguration, being the first phase of the airport's construction sited in Dubai World Central Aviation City.

Sheikh Mohammed toured the new buildings, starting from the departure terminal. He stopped by the check-in counter and listened to an explanation from President of Dubai Civil Aviation and Chairman and CEO of Emirates Airlines Group Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum about the equipment and facilities that are constructed and deployed according to the highest standards and quality to secure most convenient logistic facilities for the passengers and to complete their processes in a time record.

Sheikh Mohammed then visited the passports control hall. The hall is operated by Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (DNRD). The hall is consisting of 10 departure counters and 16 arrival counters. He then toured the Dubai Duty Free and browsed through the variety of products.

Sheikh Mohammed and his accompanied delegation witnessed the celebration with first airplane landing at Al Maktoum International Airport. The airplane is Wizz Air Hungary Airlines, a low-cost airline with network connecting Dubai with Central and Eastern Europe.

He concluded his tour at the arrival terminal, where he inspected the passport counters and the customs counters operated by Dubai Ports and Customs Authority. The customs counters are operated by over one hundred employees.

Sheikh Mohammed expressed his happiness and satisfaction about the project that is constitute a platform to develop Jebal Ali as an industrial and logistic hub that contributes in Dubai’s development in all aspects and diversify the UAE national economy.

While talking to his accompanied delegation, Sheikh Mohammed asserted that the idea of this international airport, that will be the biggest in the world once completed, had always been in the mind of Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, adding that "the idea became reality".

Sheikh Mohammed said, "Once we reach the crest of a mountain, we move to another one. We do that for our country and our loyal citizens". He added "this is life; with perseverance and determination we move from one crest to another so our country remain an ideal model for development in all aspects of life".

He directed departments’ managers concerned with operating and managing the new airport to continue developing their services to provide all necessary help for passengers as that airport is an important pillar in the tourism industry.

The inauguration of the Dh2 billion building was attended by Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Minister of Cabinet Affairs Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Director General of Dubai Ruler Court Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shebani, Vice Chairman of Dubai Police and General Security Lt. General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Director General of UAE Vice President and Prime Minister office Lt. General Musabah bin Rashid Al Fattan, Director General of Dubai Protocol Khalifa Saeed Suleiman and number of senior officials and airline representatives.

The launch comes a month before the winner of the bid to host the World Expo 2020 will be revealed.

The emirate’s position as a two-airport stronghold can only strengthen the city’s position for the bid.

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