Dubai International Airport is considered the Middle East’s premier and busiest airport. In 2001, despite the impact of global events, it registered a 10% growth in passengers throughput which totaled 13.5 million. The ACI traffic statistics have ranked Dubai International Airport as one of the fastest growing airport in the world.

Anticipating the travel demands of the 21st century, the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation commenced a US$540 million expansion program in 1997 which was completed with the opening of the Sheikh Rashid Terminal in 2000. Dubai International Airport at present has the capacity to handle 22 million passengers annually.
However, according to projections, 30 million passengers are expected to use Dubai International Airport by 2010. With these figures in mind, the Department of Civil Aviation is set to begin the 2nd phase of expansion costing US$ 2.5 bn in the first quarter of 2002 to be completed by 2006. This phase will include Terminal 3, Concourse 2 and Concourse 3. (For details check Future Plan).

Remarkable growth for Dubai International Airport – 16 million passengers register a 18% growth in 2002