Al Maktoum International Ruway (GFDL/Fatma3298)

Dubai officially opened its second Al Maktoum International Airport on Sunday for cargo operations. Previously known as Jebel Ali International Airport, it is the emirates second airport and supposed to become the world’s largest. In a statement issued by Dubai Airports, Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum , president of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Airports said “the opening is the first step in a long infrastructure development project that over time will see our new airport transformed into the world’s largest global gateway and a multi-modal logistics hub that plays an increasingly integral role in the ongoing economic and social development of Dubai. It is a proud day for Dubai and an auspicious occasion for the future of global aviation”.

Phase 1 of the Dubai World Central-Al Maktoum International (DWC) features a runway that is capable of accommodating a super-jumbo Airbus A380 jet, 64 remote stands, a cargo terminal with a capacity for 250,000 tonnes a year and a passenger terminal designed to accommodate 5 million passengers a year.

The completion of the USD$10.9 billion project is estimated to take 10-15 years and will have five runways, up to four terminal buildings and the capacity for 12 million tonnes of freight and 160 million passengers a year.

Passenger flights are planned to start by March 2011, dependent on IATA regulations.

Sheikh Ahmed said in May “Dubai first airport, the Dubai International Airport is capable of handling 2.5 million tonnes of cargo and is expected to increase its capacity by 48 percent to 3 million tonnes by 2015″

It is estimated that 98 million passengers will pass through Dubai International Airport by 2020 and will rocket to 150 million by 2030.

Dubai Airports have stated, Dubai International Airport is the fourth largest airport globally for international passenger traffic.

Committed cargo carriers for the new airport include Aban Air, ACI, Aerospace Consortium, Aviation Service Management, Coyne Airways, EuroAsian Services, Gatewick, Ramjet, Reem Style, Rial Aviation, Rus Aviation, Sonic Jet, SunGlobal, Skyline and United Aviation Services with operations steadily increasing over the next few months.

Public Transport: Public Transport in Dubai includes traveling in buses whether in city or inter-emirates. Bus services are large and expansive as it’s the most cheapest and easiest way to reach any destination. Currently RTA runs 504 buses on peak schedules on 62 bus routes. On weekends, Fridays and public holidays schedules are re-arranged to accommodate increasing passenger traffic.

RTA also organizes night bus services which operate between 23.30 till 6.00 pm in the morning. This bus service is linked with regular bus service maintaining the fluidity in the timetable of buses.

RTA also connects itself with other Emirates in UAE with Inter-Emirates bus service via 11 routes, 12 take off points and 17 drop off points.

Bus timetables can be found on RTA’s official website.

Dubai Taxi: Dubai Taxi has its own official website as Dubai Taxi Corporation. Dubai Taxi is a public transport service availed by many visitors as its convenient and offers more privacy and luxury. Whether you book a pre-paid taxi or negotiate for a more agreeable rate, taxis are generally more preferred way of traveling in Dubai. Various services are offered by Dubai Taxi Corporation to suit each individual visitor. These include direct booking service via a 24-hour phone number where the taxi will arrive in 15 minutes to your preferred destination. Also is available Dubai Airport service for airport shuttle, Special Needs service for physically handicapped passengers, Taxi Parking service where you can hire a taxi from any one of the taxi ranks across Dubai and Ladies Taxi Service especially for ladies and families. Fares for different taxi services can be found on Dubai Taxi Corporations official site.

Dubai Metro: To learn more about Dubai Metro you can visit the post

http://blog.dubai.com/dubai-metro-solving-traffic-snarls/

Water Taxis: Water travel assumes much importance in Dubai as it connects old and new Dubai via Dubai Creek. It is one of the oldest and traditional methods of getting across from Bur Dubai to Deira through ‘Abras’ or waterbus. While the Abras are more conventional, the waterbus is an advanced version of the Abra; a more luxurious and comfortable approach to water transport. Water taxi time tables can be viewed on RTA official website.

Air Travel: Traveling within the Emirates or arriving from an outside country to Dubai, Air Travel proposes services to its customers like no other. Especially the Dubai International Airport is known more for its Duty Free Shopping rather than its main function i.e. as a travel medium. To learn more about Dubai International Airport visit the post http://blog.dubai.com/dubai-international-airport/

and for Duty Free Shopping visit the post http://blog.dubai.com/dubai-duty-free-shopping/