Dubai Airports turns 60: More than a billion passengers and counting

Dubai Airports today marked the 60th anniversary of the official opening of Dubai International (DXB).

Since opening on September 30, 1960, DXB has served 1.115 billion passengers travelling on more than 7.47 million flights connecting over 240 destinations in 95 countries across the globe.

60 years of achievement

Here are some of the firsts in the history of Dubai Airports:

> It was the first airport in the Middle East to feature a gated terminal

> It then had the largest Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower when Sheikh Rashid terminal opened in 2000

> First to launch e-gates in 2002.

> In 2008, it opened the largest airport terminal in the world (Terminal 3)

> Three years later, it has the world's first concourse purpose-built for the A380 (Concourse A).

> DXB became the world's busiest international airport in 2014

> The airport welcomed its billionth passenger in December 2018

"From the outset, DXB has been a catalyst for growth. Dubai International was born from the vision of the 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," Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman, Dubai Airports, said.

"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."