Massive expansion of airport facilities in Dubai and Sharjah bear witness to the dramatic growth of the UAE as a centre of business, trade and tourism.

Dubai International Airport is one of the fastest-growing in the world while Sharjah International Airport is among the busiest cargo hubs in the entire Middle East.

Both have undertaken major expansion projects bidding to facilitate the ever-growing demand. Dubai is anticipating a tripled passenger capacity of 70 million by 2008 while Sharjah predicts a four-fold increase in space and facilities by 2006.

Clients: Dubai Civil Aviation, Sharjah Civil Aviation
Emirates Airlines
Architects: Dar Al Handasah, ADPI/DAR, Bechtel
Rice Perry Ellis, Brewer Smith & Brewer Gulf
Main Contractor: CCC/Dutco Balfour Beatty, Higgs & Hill, Belhasa Six Construction, Arabtec
Completed: From 1990’s and ongoing

Arabian Profile has been involved in airport expansion projects since the 1990s, providing a wide range of roofing, interior and exterior cladding and cold store warehousing. APL offers full facade and specialist solutions such as bull noses for buildings of complex shape.

Two dramatic examples are the landmark Emirates Training College in Dubai and the airline’s training facility for cabin attendants. APL designed and built full-scale mockups of an Airbus A300-A310 and Boeing 777, using composite panels in the process.