Dubai Airports, the operator of Dubai International Airport (DXB), has completed the northern runway project at the airport on schedule.
The project involved extensive rehabilitation works to increase the operational capacity and safety of the runway.
The scope of works included reconstruction of the 4,500m central strip of the runway, as well as the associated taxiways and graded safety strips.
Additionally, more than 4,230 upgraded LED airfield lights were refitted while the latest technology in navigational aid and meteorological equipment (MET) systems wasalso delivered.
More than 400 engineers and field experts, as well as 3,800 personnel, were involved with the project.
Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths said: “The northern runway rehabilitation project was a key strategic move by Dubai Airports and its partners in the aviation community to invest in the infrastructure at DXB and shows our ongoing commitment to passenger care and operational excellence while enhancing the safety, operational efficiency and capacity of our airport well into the future.
“We are delighted to report that some elements of the project were delivered ahead of schedule, allowing us to fully prepare to a return to dual runway operations at the world’s busiest airport on time.”
An Emirates A380 aircraft, bound for Amman, Jordan, departed from the revamped northern runway recently, marking the resumption of operations following the 45-day renovation period.
The reopening of the runway will help DXB to handle an increase in passenger footfall over the busy summer travel period.
The airport handled more than 13.6 million travellers in the year’s first quarter. It also expects a rise in passenger numbers towards the end of the year during the football World Cup in Qatar.
