Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai (SD)

Dubai, Oct 3: The Dubai internation airport (DXB) on Friday, October 2 marked its 60th anniversary since the official opening of the airport.

The Dubai airport has served nearly 1.115 billion passengers travelling on more that 7.47 million flights over 240 destinations in 95 countries worldwide since its inception on September 30, 1960.

The DXB holds record of many firsts in the Middle East also world. It was the first airport in the Middle East to feature a gated terminal. It also had the largest Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower when in 2000 AD the Sheikh Rashid terminal opened. It is first to launch e-gates in 2002. In 2008, it opened the largest internation terminal (T3) in the world. Three years after, the airport had the first concourse purpose-built for the A380 (Concourse A). In 2014, DXB became the busiest international airport in the world. And in December 2018, the airport welcomed its billionth passenger.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of Dubai airports said, "From the outset, DXB has been a catalyst for growth. Dubai international was born from the vision of late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, who understood the vast potential of aviation and had the foresight to build the airport and promote an Open Skies policy. That vision was carried forward strongly by his Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and Prime Minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, who effectively positioned Dubai as a global aviation leader. DXB, which is at the centre of Dubai's proud aviation history, is testimony to the fact that great things can be achieved through vision, forward thinking, innovation, collaboration and hard work."

"Over the next half a century, we will continue to strengthen our role in connecting the world and supporting the social and economic development of Dubai," he further said.