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Time Out Dubai
03-06-2025
- Business
- Time Out Dubai
19 throwback photos show what DXB Airport used to look like — and you won't believe it
We could be forgiven here at Time Out Dubai for thinking our city is the centre of the universe. But this wasn't always the case. There was a time when what is now DXB Airport was just an expanse of wasteland on the edge of the burgeoning city. Over the years Dubai International Airport has undergone a significant amount of change which has seen it grow from just one sandy runway in the desert into the world's busiest airport for international travellers. You may also like: How much Dubai has changed from the 1960s to today The visual history of DXB is striking and it's high time we had a look through the archives to see just how much the airport and the city around it have changed. History of DXB: The early years Old DXB: Crowds queue up outside Dubai International Airport in 1960 (Credit: DXB Airports) While Dubai International Airport started life in 1960, the city had served as a stop en route to Pakistan from the UK as far back as the 1930s. Huge flying boats from the old British Overseas Airways Corporation would stop at Dubai Creek on their way to Karachi. Stopping in Dubai would give these slow, long-haul flights an opportunity to refuel and restock before taking flight once more. And, initially, this was the purpose Dubai International Airport served. In the 1950s, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai at the time, ordered an airport to be built since there was no direct air service to Dubai. Curiously, Sharjah did have an airport at this time which was run by the British army. This meant that people who wished to travel to Dubai would first need to fly to Bahrain, take a short flight to Sharjah then drive to Dubai. Changed days indeed. The initial desert runway of Dubai (Credit: DXB Airports) By 1960, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum had his wish. Dubai finally had its own airport. It was built on a 4km expanse of wasteland in Al Garhoud and was only capable of handling aircraft the size of a DC-3 (which could hold between 21 and 34 passengers). But Rome, or rather Dubai International, wasn't built in a day. Originally, the plan was to build an airport in Jebel Ali but this was thought to be too far from the city. We'll get to that later though. Middle East Airlines was the first to land in Dubai (Credit: DXB Airports) The old sandy runway at DXB (Credit: DXB Airport) The initial runway was sand-compacted and 1,800 metres long with three turning areas and a small terminal capable of handling around 200 passengers per day. Arrivals would take a matter of minutes as a solo immigration officer processed passports. There would have been two shops at the terminal to check out before walking out to the car park in search of a taxi. A Middle East Airlines flight was the first to arrive in Dubai. When MEA and Kuwait Airways started landing with four-engined viscounts, the runway was said to blow away. By 1965, this sandy runway made way for an asphalt one along with a number of other newly built facilities. A Gulf Aviation Heron plane on the old desert runway in the 1960s (Credit: DXB Airports) A MEA aircraft on the asphalt runway in the 1970s (Credit: DXB Airports) The 1970s saw a whole host of changes which set Dubai International Airport on the path to what we know today. A new three-storey terminal building was built, a traffic control tower was introduced, there were more taxiways, the runway lengthened, aprons were extended, and the airfield added lighting. A lot happened to modernise the airport. The bigger terminal allowed for an airport lounge to be built which gave passengers a comfortable place to hang out before they flew. The lounge at Dubai International Airport in the 1970s (Credit: Dubai Airports) The 1970s saw a whole host of changes at the airport (Credit: DXB Airports) DXB in the 1970s (Credit: DXB Airport) An aerial shot of DXB in the late 1970s (Credit: DXB Airports) An Air traffic control tower was brought in during the 1970s (Credit: DXB Airports) An aerial view of DXB in the 1970s (Credit: DXB Airports) History of DXB Airport: Emirates arrives The 1980s was a transformational period for the airport, as Dubai Duty Free began operations at DXB in 1983, a second runway was installed and Emirates started operations for the first time. The launch of Emirates came about fairly quickly after the initial idea was proposed in 1984 by Sehikh Al Maktoum. The Dubai National Air Travel Agency launched the airline within five months of it being asked in March 1985. Emirates took flight for the first time in the 1985 (Credit: Dubai Airports) The plan for Emirates was simply that it had to 'look good, be good, and make money'. And it's fair to say it's achieved that goal. You may like: How Emirates went from just two planes to world's biggest airline Similar to the initial flights all the way back in the 30s which stopped in Dubai on the way to South Asia, Emirates first flights were to Karachi and Mumbai in October of 1985. And in 1988, more than 4.3 million passengers passed through Dubai International Airport. Departures at DXB in the 1980s (Credit: DXB Airports) History of DXB Airport: Terminal 2 opens As Dubai continued to expand and grow in the 1990s, so too did its airport with a second terminal opening by the end of the millennium. In 1998, Terminal 2 opened at Dubai International Airport which increased capacity by two million passengers per annum. Dubai International Airport in the 1990s (Credit: DXB Airports) Dubai International Airport in the 1990s (Credit: DXB Airports) History of DXB Airport: The modern era Once we reached the 2000s, things started really ramping up at the airport. In 2002, it was named the fastest growing airport in the world with good reason. A Dhs2 billion project to expand the airport saw the capacity more than double from 10 million passengers to 23 million as a new concourse was constructed. The capacity grew once more in 2008 when a third terminal was built which allowed room for 60 million passengers. A year later, 40 million passengers passed through DXB for the first time as work began on another concourse and terminal 2 got a makeover ahead of the launch of flydubai. And in 2014, DXB became the world's top airport for international passenger traffic as it welcomed 70.4 million people in one year. A title it has held onto ever since. Dubai Airports 2024 (Credit: DXB) Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport (Credit: DXB) DXB: The future Earlier in 2024, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced plans for a massive Dhs128 billion expansion of the city's other airport Al Maktoum International Airport. Dubai's second airport is based in Jebel Ali (see, we did get back to it as promised), a part of the city that decision-makers want to develop, and has been in operation since 2010. A render of plans for Al Maktoum International Airport (Credit: Dubai Media Office) The plans for Al Maktoum International Airport will eventually see it have capacity for 260 million passengers once complete. Currently, it serves a small fraction of that number. But plans could take more than a decade to come to fruition. As for DXB? It is unclear what the future holds for the city's current biggest airport once Al Maktoum International is complete. Flying from Dubai soon? How to spend your stopover in Dubai – no matter how long you're here for We've got your To Do list covered 48 hours in Dubai: all the best things to do in two days Your dream itinerary for a fleeting trip Revealed: The 5 top holiday destinations for people living in the UAE Is your favourite in the top five?
Axios
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Charlotte aviation museum named for famed Captain Sully opens new gallery
Sullenberger Aviation Museum's new gallery opens inside a 1930s hangar on Saturday, May 31. Why it matters: This latest section of the museum to open will showcase a range of commercial and military planes. Catch up quick: Sullenberger Aviation Museum reopened last June with a new name and a new home. The museum's name honors Captain C.B. "Sully" Sullenberger, the pilot who safely landed the Charlotte-bound U.S. Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River. You may know the 2009 flight as "Miracle on the Hudson." The aircraft from Flight 1549 can be seen in the museum's adjacent main gallery. The latest: The Navy/Marine Corps Gallery is housed inside the W.P.A. Douglas hangar, which was the original home of the museum. Now the hangar will tell Charlotte Douglas International Airport's story and its influence on the city, museum president Stephen Saucier says. What to expect: The hangar was built in 1936 as part of the Works Progress Administration, making it an artifact in and of itself, Saucier says. The gallery includes seven aircraft, with everything from commercial aircraft like a Piedmont Airlines DC-3 to military aircraft like the F-84 Thunderjet. One plane has been converted into a two-person flight simulator. By the numbers: $34 million was raised to build the current iteration of the museum, including $5 million from Charlotte Douglas International Airport's Cannon Fund. The airport renovated the hangar shell, Saucier says. It cost roughly $1.5 million for the museum to bring the gallery to life, per Saucier. If you go: Saturday's grand opening starts at 9am for museum members and 10am for nonmembers. There will be food trucks. Sullenberger Aviation Museum is at 4108 Minuteman Way near CLT. Tickets are $24 for those over age 18, $20 for seniors (65+), $18 for ages 5-17, free for children younger than 5 years old, $20 for military members (active or veterans), $20 for aviation professionals and $20 for educators. What's next: The museum will launch summer camps for 4th-8th grade students this year with a focus on STEM education and aviation. Take a look around the "Aviation City" exhibit.
Gulf News
02-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf News
Dubai Airport: The incredible transformation in photos from 1960 to now
Dubai Airport currently has a capacity for 90 to 100 million passengers per annum Last updated: 1/19 1959—Work to build 'Dubai airport' began on a vast expanse of wasteland some 4km from the edge of the city of Dubai. Dubai Airport 2/19 1960 – The airport comprising a sand compacted runway and a small terminal building was opened on September 30 and was capable of handling aircraft up to the size of a DC-3. Dubai Airport 3/19 1963 – Work to build an asphalt runway began. It opened in 1965 with numerous other newly built or refurbished facilities. Above, passengers boarding a Middle East Airlines flight at Dubai International Airport. Dubai AIrport 4/19 1970—The 1970s witnessed many developments across DXB, starting with a new three-storey terminal building, a new control tower, additional taxiways, a lengthening of the runway, extension of aprons, airfield lighting, and landing instruments. Dubai Airport 5/19 Dubai Airport lounge in 1970s. Dubai Airport 6/19 1980 – On 23 December 1980, Dubai Airport became an ordinary member of the Airports Council International (ACI). Dubai Airport 7/19 1981: Dubai International Airport. The monumental growth of the airport, which started off handling only three flights daily, is testimony to the UAE's success story. Gulf News archives 8/19 1981: View of Dubai International Airport. Gulf News archives 9/19 1985 – Emirates operated its first flights from Dubai to Karachi and Mumbai, using a Boeing 737 and an Airbus 300 B4 wet-leased from Pakistan International Airlines. Dubai Airport 10/19 1988 – Passenger throughput at the airport reached 4.3m and more than doubled in a decade to 9.7 million by 1998. Dubai Airport 11/19 2000 – The opening of Concourse 1 (now Concourse C), marked the start of a new chapter in Dubai's aviation history. Built as part of the first phase of the general expansion project at a cost of AED2 billion, the Terminal increased the Airport's capacity from 10 million to 23 million. Gulf News archives 12/19 2005: Terminal 3, Concourse B under construction. Gulf News archives 13/19 2008 – Dubai Airports opened the much-awaited DXB Terminal 3 for the exclusive use of Emirates airline. The flawless opening of the world's largest single terminal expanded DXB's capacity to 60 million and won the airport accolades from passengers and the aviation industry worldwide. Gulf News archives 14/19 2009 – Terminal 2 undergoes major refurbishment for the launch of flydubai, Dubai's own low-cost airline. Gulf News archives 15/19 2013 – Concourse A, the world's largest facility purpose built for the A380 opens at DXB. Virendra Saklani/Gulf News archives 16/19 2019 – Dubai Airport retains title of the world's busiest airport for international passengers for the 5th consecutive year with 89.1m passengers in 2018. Virendra Saklani/Gulf News archives 17/19 2020 – Dubai Airport celebrates 60th Anniversary. Gulf News archives 18/19 2023 – Dubai Airport held its position as the world's number one airport for international passengers for the 9th year running. Gulf News archives
South China Morning Post
15-04-2025
- South China Morning Post
Memories of Kai Tak, Hong Kong's iconic airport, renowned for its dramatic landings
Explore the captivating history of Hong Kong's legendary Kai Tak Airport, famous for its challenging landings, thrilling flight path low over the Kowloon skyline and, of course, it's rather distinctive welcoming aroma for air travellers. Advertisement From its vibrant beginnings to its closure in 1998, delve into unforgettable memories, pioneering flights, and the airport's lasting impact on the city and its residents. When Kai Tak Airport closed after 73 years of operation it had become an icon of the city and a civic treasure renowned worldwide for its challenging landings. Revisit the airport's vibrant history, its impact on the residents of Kowloon living directly under its approach path, and the unforgettable experiences of passengers and pilots. Hong Kong's Kai Tak Airport was renowned for its thrilling landings and its dramatic approaches over Kowloon. But it was also a place where local kids gathered to do their homework thanks to the ever-present air con, and one which greeted air travellers with a rather distinctive smell. Discover the fascinating history of the first 'direct' flight from Hong Kong to London as reported by the South China Morning Post. The pioneering air service was not quite as direct as modern airlines would envisage the term as the flight took an epic 11 days, with stops in exotic locations such as Penang, Saigon, and Cairo. The Kai Tak runway under construction in the mid-1950s. Picture: Dragages Hong Kong A de Havilland Comet 4 in the livery of the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) was the first jet-engined aircraft to land at Kai Tak on September 11, 1958. Explore the runway's construction, its significance in Hong Kong's place in global aviation, and the iconic aircraft that landed there. A Cathay Pacific Airways DC-3 took off at 8.30pm on July 18, 1959, in a landmark event that marked Hong Kong's first ever night flight. The short 20-minute trip carrying newsmen and assembled special guests was made possible by Kai Tak Airport's new runway lighting system. Part of this article was produced with the assistance of generative AI
Fox News
05-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Viral photo of McDonald's PlayPlace prompts superfan to reveal fast-food chain's stray from nostalgia
A McDonald's in Franklin, Tennessee, attracted viral attention last month after a customer called out the children's play area and posted a photo on X. The photo showed a sitting area in the corner of the restaurant, with two screens embedded in the wall. X user @NancyAFrench posted an image of the PlayPlace, writing, "This is so heartbreaking. I'm at a new McDonald's in Franklin, TN, and look at their 'play place' for children. Two screens/two chairs." A McDonald's spokesperson told Fox News Digital that while this restaurant "has a few interactive features for younger guests, it does not represent the full PlayPlace design and experience." Gary He, author of "McAtlas," a visual social anthropology book about McDonald's, has traveled to McDonald's locations in over 55 countries across six continents. "[McDonald's restaurants] come in all shapes and sizes; some of them have massive PlayPlaces, but most of them have nothing at all," He told Fox News PlayPlaces, before the digital age, featured character-themed displays that were designed to attract kids and families. Some included playgrounds with ball pits. He said the methods of play at the fast-food restaurants reflect the way kids are being raised in a digital world. "Even the 'Largest Entertainment McDonald's' in Orlando, Florida, has modernized itself to include a large number of activities with screens," he said. In his travels, He said he's noticed that McDonald's locations serve as "a sort of cultural mirror." "In France, there are 'Ronald Gyms' attached to many standalone McDonald's and salad bars inside the restaurants, and China's McDonald's have exercise bikes that charge your phone, and [there are] hologram Ronald McDonalds in the PlayPlaces," said He. In Guatemala City, the Cajita Feliz restaurant is shaped like a Happy Meal box. The birthplace of Happy Meals was created by a McDonald's manager in Guatemala, who created a smaller, kid-friendly menu with a toy, calling it "Ronald's menu," according to Axios. "The [PlayPlace] is sprawling, but it's located inside a separate concrete building specifically for kids' birthday celebrations," said He. "We provide a top-notch experience for families with a delicious and nutritious menu, complemented by initiatives that encourage reading, play and overall well-being," reads the website of Latin American McDonald's operator Arcos Dorados. There are more than 38,000 McDonald's locations in 100 countries, according to the company's website. He said that in Taupo, New Zealand, there's a "decommissioned DC-3 airplane that kids and adults alike can run around and peer into the cockpit." "Here in the U.S., the vast majority of the company's business is drive-thru and delivery. It would seem that the restaurants are meeting the consumers where they are," said He. One location is dubbed the "UFO McDonald's" with a flying saucer-shaped dining room. Of all the McDonald's PlayPlaces in the U.S., there are two in particular that stand out in his view, he said. In Roswell, New Mexico, the location is dubbed the "UFO McDonald's" with a flying saucer-shaped dining room. There is also a play area that includes a tube slide, physical activities and space-themed characters. While the world's largest entertainment McDonald's in Orlando, Florida, may have screens, there are still many physical activities available for kids to dive into. There are "hundreds of feet of tube slides, a ball pit and every type of game that you could imagine," said He. "Though the store has been toned down in recent years, it still resembles an arcade more than a McDonald's."
