First Runway at Al-Maktoum International Complete

The first runway at Dubai's new international airport has been completed.

The 4.5km log runway at Al-Maktoum International Airport, previously known as Dubai World Central International Airport, cost US$1bn to construct.

It is the first of six runways due to be built at what will become the world's largest airport, handling more than 120 million passengers a year.

The airport is expected to become operational by the end of 2008.

The airport was named this week after the Maktoum family, the ruling dynasty of the emirate of Dubai.

By staff writer