Dubai Airports 'good to go' on runway closure on April 16

Southern runway at Dubai International Airport to close for 45 days for upgrades and repairs

Dubai's Al Maktoum International Airport will provide extra capacity during the DXB runway closure . Courtesy Dubai Airports
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Dubai Airports said it is "good to go" on preparations before closing one of two runways at Dubai International on April 16 for upgrade work that will temporarily cut capacity at the world's busiest international hub.

Dubai International will see a 29 per cent reduction in the number of available seats, the airport operator said on Sunday. Additional capacity will be provided at Al Maktoum International Airport, or DWC as it's known, so the total number of flights across the Dubai Airports system will only drop 19 per cent and the number of seats by 20 per cent.

“Planning and preparations have been underway for almost two years in close coordination with Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects, airlines, dnata, the regulator and a host of other service partners to make sure this massive project goes off without a hitch,” said Paul Griffiths, chief executive of Dubai Airports.

The southern runway at Dubai International will be closed for 45 days from April 16 to May 30 for resurfacing and replacement of ground lighting and other infrastructure.

In January, Emirates airlines said a "significant" number of its flights will be impacted by the closure, with 48 Emirates aircraft being grounded and a 25 per cent reduction in the number of flights operated by the airline during the 45-day period.

Emirates said some flights will be cancelled, others re-timed or the operating aircraft will be changed to reduce impact on customers.

Dubai Airports said DWC will handle an average of 145 passenger flights per day operated during the runway closure period by airlines including flydubai, Wizz Air, Aeroflot, Indigo, SpiceJet, Gulf Air, Ukraine International Airlines, Ural Airlines, Nepal Airlines, Kuwait Airways and flynas. This is based on slot requests received from airlines as of April 14.

“We’re confident we are fully prepared and good to go for April 16,” Mr Griffiths said.

“We are encouraging passengers to confirm their airport of departure before they set out to take their flights but otherwise they can expect smooth operations and great service.”