Just when you thought it was safe to do things on a large scale again, the big thinkers in Dubai have been ‘at it’. But this time, they’re just making sure everything in their world class, biggest on the planet earth, new airport, JXB is in perfect proportion.

Yes, construction on the Middle East’s highest air traffic control tower, worth an estimated U.S.$39 million, has begun at Dubai World Central - the urban aviation community taking shape at Jebel Ali in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The project, which has been awarded to Arabtec/Max Bogl, a Dubai-German joint venture company, consists of a 91-meter high air traffic control tower and a technical block of 6,000 square meters that will house offices, operations, technical rooms, flight simulator and a meteor observation cabin.

And to top it all off, the architectural theme will be an iconic floral design that it is hoped will become a regional landmark.
“This will be a unique structure, the highest in the Middle East and an iconic landmark for the region’s aviation industry,” confirms HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman, Dubai Aviation Corporation – Dubai World Central.

“Construction of the tower has started on site and once completed will be a magnificent sight. This will be one of the most technologically advanced units in the world, placing the Middle East in the forefront of global avionics development.”

The tower is toward the southeast of Dubai World Central International Airport (JXB) in close proximity to the passenger terminal building that is also being constructed by the same joint venture. The facility has an airside/landside interface with secured access to airside, offering air traffic controllers the ability to handle multiple airborne airplanes as well as grounded crafts.

JXB, when completed, will be the world’s largest airport with six parallel 4.5 kilometer runways, up to 16 cargo terminals, two mega passenger terminals and six concourses, with a capacity to handle 120-150 million passengers and 12 million tons of cargo annually.

“The air traffic control tower and the technical blocks are metal clad and glazed – the latest recommended good practice in construction which will enable the designers to achieve the best results in their lighting, heating and durability objectives,” explains Sheikh Ahmed.

“The tower, along with the passenger terminal, which is currently being built to cater to seven million passengers, will be operational in 2009 and will be regulated by an air traffic service company under the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA).