The head of Dubai Airports said today that the passenger terminal at Dubai World Central airport could start commercial operations next year.

Dubai World Central handled nearly 90m tonnes of freight in 2011.

“Operational trails for DWC’s passenger terminal are set to start during the second quarter of this year and we could see commercial passenger operations commence in 2013,” said Paul Griffiths, CEO, Dubai Airports.

Dubai Airports owns and manages the operation and development of both of Dubai’s airports – Dubai International as well as Dubai World Central.

Commenting on the growth of DWC’s cargo operations, which began in June 2010, Griffiths said the airport handled almost 90 million tonnes of freight during its first full calendar year of operations. DWC’s average monthly air cargo volumes in 2011 totalled 7,477 tonnes compared to 795 tonnes per month recorded during the airport’s first half year of operations in 2010. Cargo transit traffic comprised 32,989 tonnes or 37% of volume.

“Although the airport is in its infancy, incremental cargo traffic growth has been steady and continues to ramp up as new operations are launched,” Griffiths said.

He pointed out that DWC will play a key role in providing the capacity needed to accommodate projected growth in Dubai’s aviation sector.

“By 2015, cargo volumes will top three million tonnes, exceeding the current capacity of Dubai International. We expect a good proportion of that growth to spill over to Dubai World Central. As for passenger operations, Dubai International will continue to serve as the primary focus of expansion and we will be investing $7.8bn to boost capacity to 90 million passengers by 2018.”

Dubai World Central handled 89,729 tonnes of airfreight during its first full calendar year of operations.

In 2011 the gateway’s average monthly air cargo volumes totalled 7,477 tonnes compared with the 795 tonnes per month recorded during its first half year of operations in 2010.

According to figures released by Dubai Airports, cargo transit traffic accounted for 32,989 tonnes (37%) of this total volume.

Meanwhile, aircraft movements at the airport over the year hit 8,198, of which 3,609 (44%) were commercial cargo flights; 4,548 (55.5%) were test and training flights and 41 (0.5%) were general aviation operations.

During 2011, 36 airlines operated into Dubai World Central, predominantly as cargo charter operations.

Paul Griffiths, CEO at Dubai Airports, said: “Although the airport is in its infancy, incremental cargo traffic growth has been steady and continues to ramp up as new operations are launched.

“Sea to air freight traffic growth was particularly robust as airlines took advantage of the airport’s bonded link to the Jebel Ali port.

“Additionally the road feeder service operating between Dubai International and Dubai World Central facilitated the smooth flow of transit airfreight. Combined, Dubai’s two airports handled 2,279,219 tonnes of airfreight in 2011, which is up marginally from 2010.”

According to Griffiths, the new airport has a vital role to play in providing the extra capacity needed to accommodate projected growth in cargo volumes handled by the Emirate. More info

A Dh1 billion (US$272.3 million) investment has been secured for Dubai World Central, the “aerotropolis” taking shape on the edge of Dubai.

DUBAI - JULY 1,2010 - Emirates airplane taxi on the run way of the Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International airport. ( Paulo Vecina/The National )

The cash will pay for the first phase of development of the aviation district, designed to attract international businesses in aeronautical services and light manufacturing.

It will also pay for the relocation of the Dubai Airshow 2013 to the district from the existing site at Dubai International Airport. The move to a bigger site is likely to add thrust to the show’s growing international profile.

“Dubai World Central is an integral component of the strategic vision of Dubai Government to establish the emirate as an international aviation hub and a gateway to global markets,” said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation, the company in charge of developing the $33 billion Dubai World Central.

“The aviation district has been holistically conceived to capitalise on the dynamic aviation industry of the UAE and the region,” he said.

The aviation district, covering more than 6.8 square kilometres, will provide”land-side and air-side facilities” and will help to leverage the capacity of the new Al Maktoum International Airport, the company said. Officials hope the district will be able to capitalise on the strong growth in aviation in the region, the Indian subcontinent and China.

Close links to the nearby Jebel Ali Free Zone would help to cut “inter-modal” transport times. More info

Dubai World Central (DWC), the region’s first purpose-built aerotropolis, has presented on Sunday, November 13, 2011 the progress achieved since the last Dubai Airshow and showcased ongoing development being undertaken to establish a business platform for aviation and logistics companies.

Showcases progress achieved to date and presents plans to position Dubai as logistics and aviation hub.

DWC’s “40&beyond” campaign was also inaugurated by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, at the Dubai Airshow 2011. The campaign celebrates the UAE‘s 40th founding anniversary and depicting the visionary foresight of the founding fathers of the country.

The “40&beyond” tribute wall also demonstrates the strategic importance of Dubai World Central as the logical extension of the progress that Dubai has achieved over the past 40 years, while exemplifying the investment initiatives undertaken by Dubai to sustain the emirate’s prosperity and sustainable socioeconomic growth.

DWC is a purpose-built airport city that covers an area of 140 square kilometers. In addition to the Al Maktoum International Airport, which is being developed to be one of the world’s largest in volume and size, Logistics District and Office Park, DWC will also include residential, commercial and leisure districts upon completion.

Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman, Dubai Aviation City Corporation, said: “Dubai World Central reinforces Dubai’s strategic advantage as an economic hub and a gateway to dynamic markets in the Middle East, Africa, Europe and across Asia. It serves as a one-stop destination for investors and businesses that are looking to benefit from a purpose-built aviation and logistics infrastructure, in addition to a complete range of business facilities. Moreover, DWC demonstrates the ingenuity and foresight of Dubai by presenting a fresh concept in urban planning that integrates services, aviation, residential and commercial amenities within a self-sustaining micro-city.”

“This year’s edition of Dubai Airshow will be the first time wherein we are organizing a major showcase of the Dubai World Central. The Airshow certainly serves as an ideal platform to demonstrate the unique features of DWC as the event is recognized as the region’s premier aerospace event gathering more than 50,000 international trade visitors and hundreds of exhibitors from all over the world,” said Rashed Buqara’a, Chief Operating Officer, Dubai Aviation City Corporation.

Dubai World Central is one of the most important and strategic projects launched by the Government of Dubai. It has been developed to meet the future needs of Dubai’s aviation, tourism, trade and logistics services and will ultimately be home to over 900,000 residents. More info

Raytheon has finished the installation and testing of its AutoTrac III (AT3) air traffic management (ATM) system at Dubai World Central’s Al Maktoum International Airport.

Dubai Air Navigation Services will now complete the certification needed before the 60-controller installation becomes operational next year.

The Raytheon AT3 system will provide air traffic control automation for the Dubai terminal airspace and approach control services for Al Maktoum International, Dubai International, Sharjah International, and Al Minhad Airbase. It will also support tower operations at Dubai International and Al Maktoum International Airports.

Stephen DuMont, director of international ATM for Raytheon, said: “We have now completed the site acceptance testing and will continue with our train-the-trainers programme.

“The system contains some of the most advanced surveillance and flight data processing available today. The AT3 installed in Dubai includes multi-radar tracking capabilities, advanced flight data processing, safety net functions, online data interchange, arrival and departure management, and electronic flight strips.

“And its open architecture design is scalable as future updates are expected as capacity in the region grows,” DuMont said.

The AT3 system is designed to provide automated conflict alerts if it detects a potential problem with two aircraft. The system can even take into account future aircraft movements using predict-ahead techniques.

By 2030, the number of aircraft operating in the Middle East could grow by up to 176%, DuMont said.

He added that Raytheon now has ATC systems in more than 50 countries, including installations in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Lebanon, Iraq and Kurdistan, and helps to control up to 60% of the world’s airspace.

Luxury European hotel operator the Oetker Collection has announced plans to expand its portfolio of hotels into the Middle East and North Africa. The Germany-based company said it will open its first hotel in the region in Morocco in March 2012, and begin construction on a property in Abu Dhabi in four months.

The Oetker Collection currently has four hotels in operation, one in Germany and three in France. The Mena region will be the company’s first foray outside of Europe because it is a ‘perfect fit for us’, said Samir Daqqaq, senior vice president of development for the Middle East and Africa.

“There are a lot of plush and elegant hotels [in the region], but we truly believe there is a niche that we can fill in these markets. Our definition of luxury is more sublime and more focused on real service,” he told AMEInfo.com.

At a press conference in Dubai this week, the company unveiled its Palais Namaskar in Morocco, which be located a 30-minute drive from Marrakech International Airport and near the medina Jemaa El-Fna – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hotel was built at a cost of $68m and will offer 41 uniquely-designed villas and suites.

One of the more luxurious aspects of the hotel is that it offers guests a private jet service that will take them from Casablanca Airport to the hotel in just 30 minutes. The private jet also can be utilized for transfers to other Oetker Collection properties.

Dubai: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, yesterday toured the Cityscape Global exhibition that is under way at the Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Centre.

Shaikh Mohammad was accompanied by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince, Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and the visiting chief of the Royal Court in Bahrain, Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmad Al Khalifa.

Shaikh Mohammad visited various stands, including those of Dubai Municipality, Dubai World Central and Meraas.

At Meraas’ stand, Shaikh Mohammad met with a Chinese delegation where he was briefed by Abdullah Ahmad Al Habbai, chairman of Meraas Holding, on the Dh2 billion project that the company is implementing near the existing Dragon Mart in conjunction with China Longines investment Company.

Ambitious development

The project, called Phoenix, will be completed in 30 months, and will be three times as large as Dragon Mart, spanning an area of 8 million square metres. The Phoenix project will include various shops, a five star hotel, a car parking, and other facilities. Shaikh Mohammad congratulated Meraas on the joint investment project between the UAE and a global Chinese company. He said that the joint project is a new step forward in increasing joint investments between the two countries, especially in the private sector.

Addressing the Chinese delegation, Shaikh Mohammad described Dragon Mart as a window for China and a portal for Chinese companies into the region’s markets. He praised the strong bilateral and historic relations between China and the UAE, which he said were further strengthened by extending bridges of trade, tourism and cultural cooperation, in addition to increased joint investments which benefits both countries and peoples.

Shaikh Mohammad also received an overview of the Dragon Mart expansion project, located in Al Warqa, which will be completed in late 2012. The project will include additional shops, restaurants, and service facilities, as well as a five-star hotel and a parking lot.

Shaikh Mohammad was also briefed on The Avenue project, carried out by Meraas Holding in Al Safa street in Jumeirah.

Dubai Aviation City Corporation, Dubai World Central (DWC), the region’s first aerotropolis, announced today that it has appointed CB Richard Ellis (CBRE), the world’s largest real estate consultancy, as its global marketing and leasing agent for the DWC Office Park.

Nicholas Maclean, Managing Director, CBRE Middle East and Rashed Buqara'a, Chief Operating Officer, Dubai Aviation City Corporation

The DWC Office Park, which consists of 10 office buildings in two clusters, offers a total of 2.3 million square feet of leasable area, available in a range of occupancy levels, starting at 1,000 square feet.

Under the terms of this agreement, which was signed today by Rashed Buqara’a, Chief Operating Officer, Dubai Aviation City Corporation, and Nicholas Maclean, Managing Director, CB Richard Ellis Middle East, the real estate consultancy has been provided an international mandate to identify, attract and sign potential tenants seeking to benefit from integrated commercial space at DWC Office Park.

“We are very pleased to announce the appointment of CB Richard Ellis as our global marketing and leasing agent, which we believe will support the ongoing growth of Dubai World Central as a rapidly growing fast-cycle logistics hub,” said Buqara’a.

“The DWC project offers the seamless linking of an integrated network of road, air, sea and eventually rail, enabling a fluid transit of goods throughout the cargo chain. This network is transparent and visible and a customer can track their shipments throughout the entire shipment cycle. Today, more than 120 local, regional and international firms have already commenced operations at Dubai World Central – and another 40 have signed commitments to establish a presence here. With the support of CB Richard Ellis, we are confident that our current growth trajectory will accelerate even further.”

Among the benefits of operating from Dubai World Central are world-class commercial office space; immediate access to Al Maktoum International Airport, which commenced operations in 2010; close proximity to Jebel Ali Sea Port, the sixth-largest container terminal in the world; and links to all the main motorways in the UAE.

Commenting on the appointment Nicholas Maclean, Managing Director, CB Richard Ellis Middle East, said: “The Al Maktoum International Airport development by DWC is further enhancing Dubai’s credentials as one of the leading logistics and transportation hubs in the world, and we are proud to have been selected to manage the leasing of the office space and additional land.

“All types of companies will benefit from the Office Business Park development, as it is in the easily accessible Jebel Ali area and can be offered on a free-zone basis or not, depending on the client’s specific needs. We have already seen strong interest from a variety of companies, attracted by the high level of facilities offered – and not all of them are in the logistics sector.”

The DWC Office Business Park will offer a one stop shop for companies looking for licensing / registration of their business and financial support is also offered under certain circumstances. Companies with future expansion plans can also benefit from the abundant land surrounding the existing infrastructure.

In addition to marketing the Office Park, CBRE will also promote other business components of DWC, such logistics plots and aviation facilities.

Dubai: Dubai Duty Free (DDF), the world’s largest travel retail operation, will part-finance the development of a new concourse and terminal, part of the Dh28 billion expansion of Dubai International Airport, the world’s fourth biggest international passenger hub, a top official said.

“I am glad to say that Dubai Duty Free and Dubai Airports will mainly finance the development of Concourse 4 at Dubai International Airport,” Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice-Chairman of Dubai Duty Free, told Gulf News in an exclusive interview.

This would be the first major investment by Dubai Duty Free in a large infrastructure project following the construction of its Dh500 million headquarters and central storage at Al Ramool and the new five-star 293-room luxury hotel at the Aviation Club.

The Dubai Government-owned entity has set up Dubai Duty Free Leisure — as a separate division to look after its leisure projects — including the Irish Village, the Century Village and the Dubai Tennis Stadium — owned by Dubai Duty Free.

Jumeirah Group will manage the hotel once it’s completed later this year.

The complex is located near a set of aircraft simulators at the Emirates Trainning College and cabin crew training facility owned by Emirates Group.

The Dubai Government last month unveiled a Dh28.8 billion plan to expand its airport that will add a fourth concourse and a terminal at Dubai International Airport’s existing 14-square kilometre site to boost its capacity to 90 million passengers per annum by 2018.

In 2010, Dubai International handled a record 47.2 million passengers, a 15.4 per cent increase over 2009. This made it the 13th busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic and the fourth busiest airport in the world by international passenger traffic.

Dubai Duty Free, which last year reported sales revenues of $1.27 billion, operates on 18,000 square metres of space at Dubai International.

It will launch operations at Dubai World Central — Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC-AMIA) — the world’s largest Greenfield airport development being developed at a 140-square kilometre patch of land in Jebel Ali, when commercial passenger flights starts operation.

It has set up a 2,500 square metres duty free operations at DWC-AMIA, ready to start.

“Besides, we will add a further 8,000 square metres of retail space in Concourse 3 when it opens in 2013 and a further 8,000 to 9,000 square metres of space at Concourse 4, that will more than double the size of our current operations,” he said.

“At the DWC-AMIA, our operations will occupy 64,000 square metres of space across two mega terminals and five concourses, when completed.”

Dubai Duty Free, the sole operator of duty free travel retail within the emirate of Dubai, was set up by the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) with the help of a group of Irish travel retail consultants from Shannon Airport in 1983.

Colm McLoughlin was the leading member of the Irish team.

Following the six-month contract, he was requested by DCA to run the operation.

Dubai Duty Free started on December 20, 1983 with 100 employees with first-day sales reaching $44,000. The rest is history.

About 28 years later, it registers 60,000 transactions a day and sells 71 million items of merchandise every year.

“At the end of the first year of operations, our sales revenue was $20 million, slightly higher than our record-high daily sale of $18 million on December 20, 2010,” McLoughlin says.

In 2009, the ownership of DDF was transferred to the Investment Corporation (ICD) of Dubai by a Royal Decree.

Although Dubai Duty Free does not declare profits, McLoughlin said, it remains a profitable operation.

“Yes, we are a very profitable organisation,” he said.

Generally, travel retailers command about ten per cent profit on sales revenues industry-wide.

However, in countries where direct taxes are not imposed and labour costs come cheap, operational margins could be much higher.

DDF last month reported a 16.6 per cent increase in its half-year sales at $698 million (Dh2.56 billion) between January to June this year, over the same period last year.

During the first half of this year, it sold 1.34 million bottles of perfumes, 2.08 million cartons of cigarettes, 528,842 kilogrammes of Nido milk powder, 791,306 kilogrammes of Tang, 78,055 mobile handsets, 109,741 watches, 1,463 kilogrammes of gold and 512,981 kilogrammes of nuts.

About 41 per cent of the sales at DDF are conducted by credit card.

“This year, we expect to record sales around $1.45 billion and double the current level of revenues in five years,” McLoughlin said.

“We usually double our revenues every five years. Within the next five years, the Concourse 3 will become operational — which will be the biggest terminal for Airbus A380s.”

As part of its 10-year, growth projections, sales at Dubai Duty Free are expected to hit $2.5 billion mark by 2017. It has a strong corporate social responsibility arm, supporting major events.

Doing his Duty Free

Colm McLoughlin was born in Ballinasloe, Co. Galway, Ireland in 1943. Colm began his retailing career in London in the 1960′s working for the popular high-street chain of Woolworths, before moving back to Ireland to work for Shannon Duty Free. As General Manager of Shannon Duty Free, Colm was one of a team of 10 from Aer Rianta (the Irish Airport Authority) who moved to Dubai in 1983 at the request of the Dubai Government, to set up Dubai Duty Free.

Following the successful opening of Dubai Duty Free in 1983, Colm was asked to remain as General Manager of the start-up operation. Colm later became its Managing Director. Dubai Duty Free is widely regarded for having set the benchmark for the duty free industry in the region.

In July 2011, Colm was named Executive Vice Chairman of Dubai Duty Free and its subsidiary businesses, which include The Aviation Club, The Irish Village, The Century Village and the Dubai Tennis Stadium; home to the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. Colm’s remit also includes the soon-to-open Jumeirah Creekside Hotel.

Under Colm’s direction Dubai Duty Free has become a retailing giant and the recipient of some 200 industry awards. During the course of his 42 years in the duty free industry, Colm himself has been honoured with several personal awards.

Colm is married to wife Breeda, and has three adult children and one grandchild.

Travel retail sales rise

Global duty free and travel retail sales grew 13 per cent to $39 billion last year, according to Generation Research, with airports accounting for $23.30 billion (59.8 per cent market share). Duty Free operations in other shops reported $10.80 billion (27.7 per cent); airlines owning travel retail operations reported $2.62 billion; (6.7 per cent); and ferries making the rest $2.26 billion (5.8 per cent).

Duty free sales at the Dubai International Airport represent nearly half of the total duty free sales in the Middle East and North Africa that last year reached $2.4 billion.

The top four duty free and travel retail locations above $1 billion in sales in 2010 were Dubai International Airport, followed by Seoul Incheon International Airport, London Heathrow and Singapore Changi.

The Dubai Police have referred three Nigerian women air passengers, who were arrested on different days for allegedly possessing drugs, to the Public Prosecution.

The first woman arrived at the Dubai International Airport on July 24 on her way to Malaysia was arrested by the police for possessing heroin, a police source said.

Officers at the airport grew suspicious when they noticed that the 45-year-old woman was very weak and about to faint. She was rushed to Rashid Hospital. The X-ray scan showed capsules in her stomach. She excreted 100 capsules weighing 1.5kg during her stay in the hospital. The capsules contained heroin.  She told the police that a woman had given her $1,000 and asked her to carry the drugs.

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