The first runway at Dubai World Central International Airport (JXB), set to be the world’s largest, at Jebel Ali in Dubai, has been completed on time in the projected 600 days.

It is an aviation record for the fastest A-380 enabled 4.5 km CAT III runway construction, said a statement.

Built by the UAE’s Al Naboodah Contracting for Dh1 billion ($272 million), the runway is the first tender to be fully executed within Dubai World Central - the mammoth 140 sq km urban aviation community, which is centred around JXB.

The runway, designated 12/30 because of its geographic location, will now undergo a period of strenuous tests and trials over the next six to eight months to fulfil its CAT III-C requirements - a precision instrument approach and landing capability with zero metres visibility for aircraft.

“Dubai World Central is enabling us to take the future into our own hands,” said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman, Dubai Aviation Corporation – Dubai World Central.

“The completion of the first runway, capable of handling any new-generation aircraft, signals the advent of a new era in Dubai’s aviation and transportation history – a fulfilment of the vision of the late ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, who set aside land for an additional airport in Dubai nearly 30 years ago.

“That vision has been taken forward by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who decreed that we should make history, not wait for it. When JXB is fully operational by 2015 we will be geared for any transportation challenge of this century.”

JXB’s Dh100 million first passenger terminal, being built by Arabtec/Max Bogl JV, a UAE-German joint venture, catering to low-cost, regional and charter airlines is 40 per cent complete with the finishes and MEP tender due to be awarded before the year end.

“The first terminal will cater to seven million passengers annually but will serve to take considerable load off Dubai International Airport (DXB) in terms of flights over the next three to four years,” explained Khalifa Al Zaffin, executive chairman, Dubai World Central. “The two huge mega terminals and the six concourses designed to handle in excess of 120 million passengers annually is currently in the design stage by a team of international architects and technical consultants.

“Taking such huge passenger flows, baggage handling, car parks, check in counters, security checks, facility management, amenities, flight paths, ground handling, taxiing flows, roads and infrastructure and air traffic control into consideration, has been our first priority in planning the airport. By mid-2008 we will announce the final design of the mega airport terminals.”

Dubai World Central will make announcements about the new airport’s heliport and executive jet facilities during this month’s Dubai Air Show, the statement said.

Other airport structures being built by Arabtec/Max Bogl JV are the Dh278 million cargo terminal which is 50 per cent complete and the Dh143 million Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower and navigational aids building which is 25 per cent ready. At 92 metres, the Middle East’s tallest freestanding ATC tower is 70 per cent ready and due for completion by February 2008.

“All our phase one major airport infrastructure projects are on schedule for completion between February to June 2008,” stated Al Zaffin. “Our contractors and suppliers share our vision to being the largest airport in the world and the best airport project executed globally; and so are ensuring the efficient completion of each individual contract.”

Other JXB projects are: the Dh908 million aprons and associated taxiways contract, which is over 75 per cent complete; the Dh108 million Fuel Farms tendered to another UAE-German joint venture, Thermo/Amak JV; and the navigational aids package, worth