TravTalk Middle East Online Magazine
Being the first airport in the United Arab Emirates, Sharjah Airport has been developing its services for a much wider range of travellers. His Excellency Ali Salim Al Midfa, Chairman, Sharjah Airport Authority, shares the new development plans aimed at receiving over 20 million visitors by 2027 with TravTalk.
SHEHARA RIZLY
Q) How has business fared over the past year at Sharjah Airport?
Sharjah International Airport’s passenger numbers reached 11.36 million, with an increase of 327,000 passengers for the year 2017 as compared to last year. Aircraft movements recorded 77,627 for the year 2017, with an increase in comparison with the same period of last year. Air Arabia based in SHJ flies to over 77 routes in 29 countries across the Middle East, North Africa, Indian subcontinent, CIS and Asia. There are 12 other international passenger airlines operating from various points within the ME, Africa and Asia into SHJ.
Q) Could you brief us on the expansion plans of the airport?
Sharjah International Airport will see a new passenger terminal, expansion of roads to and from the airport in addition to a host of additional facilities which will develop significantly. The new expansion is estimated to cost AED1.5 billion and will increase capacity to 20 million passengers by 2027.
The expansion will be carried out progressively over phases and the contract granting the project management rights to Parsons Overseas Limited has already been signed. The project includes the phases of preparation before design, as well as the actual design, supervision and handover of the first phase of the project. As part of the expansion, Sharjah Airport Authority signed two commercial agreements with Gama Support Services, the first of which is to build and operate a new private jet terminal, while the second agreement grants Gama the right to provide ground handling services to business jet owners, business jets and crew members at the terminal. There is also a shortterm project to add additional concourse space and seating along with new boarding gates by the end of 2018. A dedicated new entrance to the airport and additional car parking spaces, along with additional passenger trolleys and enhanced facilities will also be operational in 2018.
Q) How important is ITB Berlin for Sharjah International Airport?
Sharjah International Airport’s participation in ITB Berlin is part of its commitments towards the European markets, especially the German market. Sharjah has been keen to boost its presence in the European market to attract more tourists. It is also an excellent opportunity to showcase the airport’s developments and its state-ofthe-art services and facilities. Additionally, the exhibition will help the airport to cooperate with companies from aviation and tourism sectors, and enhance its position as a leading tourism and trade destination in the region.
Q) What role do you play at international exhibitions? International exhibitions play a vital role in promoting the latest services and facilities of SIA, with the opportunity to present and network with industry players and decision makers. Among the many trade shows we will participate this year are Air Cargo India, ITB Berlin, Arabian Travel Market, Leisure Moscow, World Travel Market, MITT, Routes Asia and Europe, TIACA as well as the 6th Pharma & Biosciences to showcase our pharma handling capabilities.
Q) How have the Smart Gates contributed towards providing a seamless travel experience to travellers? Sharjah Airport Authority launched Smart Gates in collaboration with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Sharjah. The 16 Smart Gates available at the departure and arrival terminals mean that passengers can now get through passport control within 20 seconds. The Smart Gates use a highly efficient system that reads and scans passport information, capturing biometric data using a high-accuracy camera and comparing the information given, with the passenger details saved in the system. Low level immigration desks and Smart Gates are available for our disabled passengers. Over three million passengers have passed through the Smart Gates available at the departures and arrivals terminal in Sharjah International Airport for the year 2017
