Preston Selected to Augment Dubai International Airport Expansion

Preston Aviation Solutions, a Boeing subsidiary, has been awarded a contract by the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) to conduct a computer simulation study of Dubai International Airport (DIA).

The simulation study will provide DCA and the airport's stakeholders with a reliable mechanism to visualize, analyze and minimize risk in the future expansion of DIA. The study, carried out by Preston 's Melbourne-based consulting team, will be executed in five key phases and will cover transitional operations during the Phase II expansion program, the latest Master Plan design, as well as current airport operations at DIA.

Preston will conduct the study using its Total Airspace and Airport Modeller (TAAM), the airport-simulation software used by leading airports, major air carriers, civil aviation authorities, airspace planners and air navigation service providers as well as aviation research establishments, system integrators and universities around the globe.

"The use of simulation and modeling brings significant benefits to the expansion of Dubai International Airport," said Khalifa Al Zaffin, director of engineering, Dubai Civil Aviation Department.

"The study will allow us to highlight challenges and validate solutions in a timely manner, helping to avoid costly mistakes in the complex environment of aviation." 

Using TAAM's powerful simulation capabilities, the study will:

- Accurately measure the effects of the Phase II Airport Expansion changes.

- Identify potential operational constraints both on the ground and in the air, which may include runway and taxiway usage, airport resource allocation and the effect of changes to airspace procedures.

- Validate solutions to identified challenges prior to their implementation.

- Measure the capacity of the airport and surrounding airspace based on the proposed changes and ongoing developments.

To ensure the study is produced at the highest quality, Preston will work in close cooperation with a select team of DIA stakeholders, including representatives from DCA Engineering and Projects, DCA Operations, Emirates Airport Services, Emirates Flight Operations, DNATA and Engineering Consultants Dar Al Handasah.

"Dubai International Airport is one of the fastest growing airports in the world and I am pleased that Preston's Consulting Services have the opportunity to provide decision support to the DIA stakeholders during this Phase II expansion project." said Ian Ash, managing director of Preston.

Dubai International Airport is one of the fastest growing airports in the world. Located only 4 kilometers away from the city centre, DIA handles over 20 million passengers and 195,000 aircraft movements per year. To support the growth of the airport, Dubai 's Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) is currently undertaking a $4.1 billion Phase II airport expansion project, which is due for completion in 2007. 

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