HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman, Dubai World Central - Dubai Aviation Corporation, Government of Dubai, has unveiled the masterplan for the Middle East’s largest executive jet centre at the Middle East Business Aviation (MEBA) exhibition at Airport Expo Dubai.
HH unveiled a model of the world class facility which will be among the industry’s best competing with Van Nuys in California, Teterboro in New York, Le Bourget in France and Farnborough in the UK.
The Executive Jet Centre will be built at the US$ 33 billion Dubai World Central, the 140 square kilometre urban aviation city taking shape at Jebel Ali, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, home to the dedicated flight centre designed to be a one-stop centre for business jet operations .
The Executive Jet Centre will be built adjacent to the Dubai World Central International Airport (JXB), which will be the world’s largest airport being the size of Chicago’s O’Hare and London Heathrow combined.
“Going by recent industry trends, the Middle East’s burgeoning business aviation sector will see further growth and we need to be prepared,” said Sheikh Ahmed.
“Dubai World Central will lead the way in the region by providing world-class executive jet facilities that will rival the very best in the world.”
Global interest in the facility has been high, according to Khalifa Al Zaffin, Director of Projects and Engineering, Department of Civil Aviation, Government of Dubai.
“The Executive Jet Centre will be one of the biggest in the world in terms of expected traffic with a handling capacity in excess of 100,000 aircraft movements a year – a statistic big enough to attract all the important players worldwide,” explained Al Zaffin.
“The facility is expected to be operational by end-2008. It will include a dedicated duty-free, business centre, fitness room, food outlets and crew rest areas. The Executive Flight Centre will also feature a specific area for executive helicopter and heli-taxi operations.
Work on the first JXB runway, due for completion end of this year, is 50% complete. The 4.5 kilometre CAT III runway is designed to handle the new generation Airbus A380 aircraft and will enable JXB, and its adjacent Dubai Logistics City to commence operations as the world’s largest freighter airport and logistics hub.
The US$ 8.1 billion JXB has been designed to handle in excess of 120 million passengers and 12 million tons of cargo annually.
About Dubai World Central:
Dubai World Central (DWC) is a 140 square kilometre urban aviation community centred around the world’s largest international airport. Currently being built 40 kilometres from the existing Dubai International Airport the project is almost twice the size of Hong Kong Island.
DWC creates a new benchmark in urban planning and destination living designed to support Dubai’s aviation, tourism, commercial and logistics requirements until 2050 and represents one of the most important developments in the history of the United Arab Emirates.
Eventually home to 750,000 people, DWC will be true ‘city-within-a-city’ with all the amenities that make up a world-class residential destination.
DWC, with infrastructure costs estimated at US $33 billion, comprises six specialized clustered zones: Dubai World Central International Airport (JXB), Dubai Logistics City (DLC), which also includes a dedicated aviation area, Commercial City, Residential City, Enterprise Park and a 36-hole golf resort.
DWC is backed by the Government of Dubai and is chaired by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman, Dubai World Central – Dubai Aviation Corporation, Government of Dubai.
About Dubai World Central components:
JXB, when completed, will be the world’s biggest passenger and cargo hub, with a capacity of 120 million passengers and more than 12 million tonnes of cargo annually. The airport will have six parallel runways and as many concourses with a 92 metre high control tower that will be an aviation landmark in the Middle East.
DLC will be part of the world’s first truly integrated multi-modal logistics platform in a single-bonded free zone environment made up of DLC, JXB, Enterprise Park and Jebel Ali Port. It is designed as the region’s unchallenged logistics hub catering to some two billion people throughout the Middle East, Indian Sub-continent, Africa and the CIS, all within three-to-four hours flying time from Dubai.
Commercial City will be DWC’s business and finance hub featuring more than 850 towers, ranging from 6-75 storeys in height. The city, expected to employ 130,000 people, will also boast 25 hotels ranging from deluxe, through to five-star, four-star and three-star properties.
Residential City will include a mix of two-storey villas and luxury apartment blocks ranging up to 24 storeys in height. Up to 250,000 people are expected to live in this ‘city’.
The Golf Resort will feature two 18-hole golf courses, extensive practice facilities, driving ranges, putting greens, a luxury clubhouse with restaurants and a pro-shop. Up to 2,500 freehold homes will surround the courses. The resort will also feature a high-end boutique hotel.
Enterprise Park will be the region’s premier centre of excellence for technology manufacturing and science and technology education.
