Dubai International Airport is one of the major airports in the world today and is soon to be joined by a third international terminal. The airport is considered to be busiest airport in the Middle East and over 28.7 million passengers passed through in 2006 representing a growth of 16% from the previous year. Sheikh Rashid Terminal was opened as recently as 2000 and the second phase of expansion, costing over US$4 billion, is well underway and due to be completed in 2008.
Upon completion of the expansion and construction programme Dubai International Airport will be capable of handling a staggering 70 million passengers per year.
Visa Services
Currently the following countries are able to receive an automatic visit visa upon arrival in Dubai. Visit visas are normally valid for 60 days, however visa issues are always subject to change and it is recommended that you check the current policy; All Arab GCC Countries, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Lichtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, UK, USA and Vatican City. Passengers arriving who intend working in Dubai are required to collect their original work visa permit from the designated desks at the end of the Arrivals tunnel before taking the escalators up to passport control and immigration desks.
Passport Control
There are 32 passport control desks in the Immigration Hall and visitors to Dubai will need a valid passport or travel documentation and visa. A total of 33 countries have been exempted from requiring a visa allowing them to enter the country. Please remember that your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into the UAE. Depending on the time of your arrival the Immigration Hall can become very busy and it is not unusual to queue for in excess of an hour, especially if you arrive at about midnight when the Immigration Hall is particularly busy.
Marhaba Services
If you are visiting relatives or friends, or just arriving at a busy time you may wish to consider booking Marhaba (meaning welcome) which is a meet and greet welcoming service. Marhaba services can either escort the passenger directly from the aircraft or at various other easily identifiable meeting areas within the Arrivals Terminal. The Marhaba staff are friendly, helpful and are easily identifiable in their bright yellow uniforms. Without a doubt the best feature about the service is that they provide a dedicated passport control desk which whisks you through the Immigration Hall without the need to join a lengthy queue, all important after a long flight especially if you have tired children.
The Marhaba service can be booked in various ways within the UAE, by accessing www.marhabaservices.com It is recommended that you book Marhaba at least 24 hours in advance to receive immediate confirmation. Marhaba Services can also be pre-booked for departing Dubai International Airport. The escort will assist the passenger in checking in and the passenger will again have priority access to their designated passport control counter, buggy services and dedicated Marhaba lounge.
Customs Allowances
Your duty free allowance on arriving in Dubai is: 4 litres of liquor or wine
400 cigarettes or 2 kilos of tobacco
Cigars to the value of Dhs 3,000
If you do not want to unnecessarily carry your duty free allowance on to and off the plane, you can purchase all duty free goods from the Dubai Duty Free outlet situated to your left between the Immigration desks in the Arrivals Hall and the baggage reclaim area.
The Future- Dubai World Central
Dubai's New Airport
Due to Dubai's geographical location, ideally situated between Africa, Europe, the USA and the Asian, Pacific and Australian markets, there are high expectations of a huge rise both in passenger and cargo traffic as Dubai aims to place itself firmly in the forefront of business, trade and tourism development in the Middle East. With this in mind, a new airport- Dubai World Central International Airport- is currently being developed on a site of 140 square kilometres at Jebel Ali, an area between Dubai and the capital, Abu Dhabi . Dubai World Central will be known as JXB and will form a residential, logistics and commercial complex which, incredibly, will be ten times larger than the current Dubai International Airport and Dubai Cargo Village combined.
It goes without saying the Dubai World Central will be capable of handling all next-generation aircraft including the new A380 super jumbo of which Emirates Airline have ordered a total of 55. There will be three passenger terminals including two luxury facilities one of which will be totally dedicated to the Emirates Group, the second luxury terminal will serve other international carriers, with the third terminal being dedicated to budget airlines. Dubai World Central will have 16 cargo terminals with an annual capacity of 12 million tons; more than treble that of Memphis Airport, currently the world's largest cargo hub. Additionally, Dubai World Central will have an annual passenger capacity in excess of 120 million which is 50% more than Atlanta, currently the world's busiest passenger facility.
The airport will have 6 parallel runways which will be 800 metres apart. Each runway will be 4.5 kilometres long and will allow a maximum of four aircraft to land or take off simultaneously. There is intended to be over 100,000 car parking spaces for airport staff and passengers, most of which will be underground, and the current Dubai International Airport, 24 miles away, and Dubai World Central will be linked by an express rail system. Dubai World Central will also be served by the Dubai Metro and a dedicated Dubai World Central light railway.
