Crown Prince approval opens the way for Ajman Airport work to begin

Reports from the UAE official news agency WAM said Sheikh Ammar approved the final plans and designs for the $571million new Ajman International Airport project.

The project was originally launched in 2004 with plans to begin operations in 2006 but stalled, then again it was launched 2008 but was halted because of the global economic downturn that severely affected parts of the UAE.

Basic ground work had already begun on the six million square metre site in the Al Manama area of the emirate – some 55km east of Ajman city.

It is planned to cater for up to a million passengers a year – primarily aiming at low cost carriers and cargo operations with plans for a minimum of 400,000 tonnes of freight per year. More than 60% of movements are likely to be freight.

Tenders for the airport were reissued early in 2014 with a number of international and UAE companies responding. Earlier reports suggested a European consortium would be the preferred bidder.

In February 2013, Arabian Aerospace was told that an Airport City including residential buildings, hotels, restaurants and shopping malls and centres, was also part of the plans.

Designs have been presented to the Ajman government and Sheikh Ammar was reportedly impressed by both the interior and exterior designs of the airport.

He said  the building will be eco-friendly, in line with the Ajman Vision 2021, and will support the emirate’s future plans to boost its economy and tourism.

Based on a feasibility study by ICTS Europe and Booz Allen Hamilton, passenger numbers are forecast to be 250,000 in the second year of operations from 20-25 flights per week, rising to 1 million by the fourth year of operations from almost 100 flights per week.