Plans for a $1.4 billion expansion of Dubai International Airport have been unveiled. The scheme has four main elements: a third terminal and second concourse, costing $355 million and $408 million, respectively, with completion due in 2006; a $550 million cargo terminal to handle 3 million tonnes of freight; an apron and taxiways around the new second concourse for 27 widebodies; and the expansion of infrastructure and support facilities. The third terminal and second concourse will be dedicated for use by Emirates and will be capable of handling the Airbus A380. Consultants for the project are Aeroports de Paris and Beirut-based Dar al Handasah (Shair & Partners). The US Federal Aviation Administration and Cable Network News (CNN) have teamed to offer passengers information regarding major US airport delays. CNN Airport Network, which can be viewed at 1,600 gates and other viewing areas at the nation's 35 busiest airports, is broadcasting airport delay information taken from the FAA's air traffic control system command centre web site. Tentative plans to change approach paths to Paris Charles de Gaulle airport are being opposed by local residents. A new south-west entry point under study would relieve the north-west entry point of some 120 of the 290 aircraft it accommodates daily. The remaining 170 aircraft would be routed to a westerly approach. The government of Taiwan is conducting a feasibility study into the construction of a new international airport in the centre of the country. It would be Taiwan's third international gateway. The project to privatise a substantial amount of the capital of SAVE, the company which runs Venice airport, is going ahead. The strategy calls for the airport's three main public shareholders - the Veneto regional authorities, the Venice province and town authorities - each to offer a 11% of the SAVE capital, plus a further 1% of privately owned shares. At the same time they will launch an offer to raise the capital by 20-25%.
Source: Flight International
