Airport check-in on metro and trains

Dubai World Central is to be directly served by the city of Dubai's metro system, and the national Etihad Rail passenger network when it comes into being.

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Dubai World Central is to be directly served by the city of Dubai's metro system and the national Etihad Rail passenger network when it comes into being, Khalifa Al Zaffin, the executive chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation, said yesterday.

Speaking after the opening of The Airport Show in Dubai yesterday, he said plans were under way to establish a series of check-in stations on the existing metro rail network and on Etihad Rail routes where airline passengers could complete all boarding checks before arriving at the new super-airport.

"We are going to extend the metro to the airport, and we are looking at establishing remote terminals using the metro to connect directly to the airport," said Mr Al Zaffin.

"Passengers will check in for their flights at the train station," he added. "Rail, both for logistics and passengers, will be an integral part of the new terminals."

Mr Al Zaffin said he saw Dubai World Central being part of an integrated aviation chain running the length of the UAE.

"Dubai Airports and Abu Dhabi airport — we don't see any conflict here. We see a chain where each link helps support the growth of the other. Competition, no. Added value, most definitely," he added.

More than Dh22 billion has already been invested in the Dubai World Central project, Mr Al Zaffin said, with in excess of 60 per cent of work on the Dh2bn Dubai Airshow facility at Al Maktoum International Airport on the site now completed.

Al Maktoum airport is also earmarked to serve as a base for flydubai, among other carriers, when the planned three-month closure of Dubai International Airport's northern runway for maintenance begins next May, he added.

The new Emirates SkyCargo terminal at Al Maktoum airport will result in Emirates freighter flights moving there. Some 60 logistics and air freight companies have started constructing their buildings in Al Maktoum airport complex, he said.

The airport show was opened by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, chairman of Dubai Airports and chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline.

Some 220 companies from 35 countries are participating in the three-day show, expected to be attended by more than 6,000 aviation industry professionals.

The event has also recorded a 65 per cent increase in visitor pre-registrations from last year.