Our ATC class took a field trip Monday. We drove 25 miles to the new Jebel Ali Airport (also known as Dubai World Airport, Dubai World Central or Al Maktoum Airport, but known to us as JXB). The airport is still under construction and will be for the next decade at least. There is one runway (of six parallel runways eventually) some ramp space, and several buildings under construction, including a temporary passenger terminal and the new tower and approach control. We actually had to 4-wheel across the desert to get to this place.
We donned safety vests and hard hats and took a tour of the new tower/approach control.
Now, this place was supposed to open in March 09...there are about a dozen controllers in trailers out here in the middle of the desert training for the new tower. They even have a 360 degree simulator in a trailer. Unfortunately, this place isn't going to be ready in March. They are now shooting for June...rumor is maybe September. And these controllers will be here waiting until then...making the same pay as we are at Dubai Int'l.
Anyway, after watching an approach control and tower get built in Atlanta, I can feel safe saying they are probably looking at next fall. Building still needs a few months of work before they even start putting in equipment and getting it working right. The terminal building is just temporary until they build the mid field complex (similar to ATL). The runway is actually the southernmost of 6 to be built...and there will be at least one other tower...maybe 3 total if they will still do ramp control.
Click here and Enjoy the pics
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