Airports

Passenger throughput at Dubai International Airport grew by 10% last year, to 13.5 million, says the airport authority. Cargo volumes increased by 9%, to 632,223t. Meanwhile, the number of flights handled fell by 5%, reflecting the increased use of larger aircraft. The Egyptian Airports Company is seeking investors to establish and operate cargo villages at four airports in southern Egypt. Two of the villages, at Abu Simbel and East Oweinat, will serve new desert agricultural schemes. The other two will be established in Luxor and Assiut to serve export-oriented industrial zones. A feasibility study is being undertaken by the UK's Wiggins Group for the construction of a new international airport in Ajman, United Arab Emirates, which would incorporate a 3,500m- (11,500ft-) long runway. The development, estimated at $100 million, will be implemented on a build-operate basis. A new Business Aviation Centre has been opened at Coventry Airport in the UK. Situated at Coventry Airport South, the 743m2 (8,000ft2) two-storey building replaces the facility located inside the passenger terminal at what is now called Coventry Airport North. Apron space has been extended and can now accommodate up to eight Boeing 737/BBJ-sized aircraft. Bahrain's civil aviation authority is undertaking a $140 million scheme to double passenger capacity at Bahrain International Airport. The main element is a new satellite terminal and the addition of eight passenger bridge gangways. More than 3.9 million passengers used the airport in 2000 and the predicted figure for 2005 is 7-8 million. A 6,500m2 extension to the North Terminal at London Gatwick airport has opened after a two-year construction phase. The expansion has been undertaken in a zone to the south of the existing departure lounge. A new terminal building is planned for Muscat Seeb airport in Oman, which will enable annual passenger capacity to rise to 8 million.

Source: Flight International