Dubai International Airport (IATA: DXB, ICAO: OMDB) is the international airport serving Dubai, the largest city of the United Arab Emirates.

The airport is a hub to Dubai's international airline, Emirates. In 2006, the airport handled 28.7 million passengers and targets 33 million for the year 2007. It is currently given a rating of four stars by Skytrax's airport grading exercise along with five other airports.

Dubai International Airport will be complemented by Dubai World Central International Airport, a new 140 km² airport that will help handle the influx of travelers well into the future.Dubai International Airport is undoubtedly one of the most prestigious airports in the Middle East and one of the fastest growing airports in the world. Situated three miles south east of Dubai city centre, the airport currently serves over 100 airlines and millions of passengers pass through its terminals every year. It is estimated that by 2010 the airport will need to be able to accommodate in excess of 50 million passengers on an annual basis.

The airport is currently undergoing an extensive expansion program which seeks to improve airport facilities even more and take air travel to an entirely new level. The expansion began in 2002 and is due to be completed early in 2006. It is estimated that envisaged changes will cost in the region 2 billion pounds ($4 billion). Proposed alterations and additions include the creation of a new terminal and two concourses purely for the use of Emirates Airline planes and passengers. In addition, elaborate plans are underway for the construction of a temperature controlled Flower Centre where flower products will be automatically sorted and stored before being exported to destinations around the globe.

DIA has two main terminals, with preparations for a third in the near future. All major airlines arrive and leave from the main Sheikh Rashid Terminal, or Terminal 1 which is made up of 5 separate levels containing over 25 boarding gates and 36 passenger lounges. Other facilities in this Terminal include a health club, ATM's and banking services, a post office, a medical centre, a bar, extensive dining and entertainment facilities, a hotel and Duty Free Shopping. Bureaux de change offices are located close to gates 22, 18 and 8, while disabled facilities and lounges can be found in the Arrivals Hall as well as near gates 9 and 22. A sophisticated passenger clearance system has been installed into Terminal 1 that allows passengers to pass through customs utilizing a specialized swipe card machine which electronically administrates their details.

By contrast, Terminal 2 is far smaller than Terminal 1, and caters to charter, business scheduled and cargo flights as well as regional flights from Iran and the surrounding CIS countries. There is also a VIP terminal at the airport known as the Al Majlis terminal which is reserved strictly for use by VIP's and private jet owners.

Traveling to and from the airport is a relatively simple exercise, with both public transport and hired vehicles being readily available. Passengers who have booked into one of the up market hotels in the area will more than likely be picked up by a complimentary shuttle or limousine, while those looking to transfer between terminals in order to catch a local flight will be able to do so using the airport shuttle service. For those looking to ride in style, a limousine to the city centre can be arranged in the arrivals hall from Siji Limousines and Dubai VIP - but be warned, the 10 minute trip is likely to cost you an arm and a leg at the least!

Public transport is available in the form of taxis and buses both to and from the airport. Taxis will charge more for pick ups than they will for drop offs due to the fact that pick ups require driving to the airport terminals. A journey to the airport will cost in the region of 2 pounds ($4) while a journey from the airport will cost around 4 pounds ($8). In the event that you are on a tight budget, buses are a viable albeit unreliable alternative. Bus links run to and from both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 every 25 minutes or so. The number 4, 11 and 15 buses operate between Diera and the airport, while the 33 and 44 buses travel between the airport and Bur Dubai. The number 2, 401 and 402 buses also run between the airport and the city.

[Source: Wikipedia]

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