H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, yesterday opened a new Dh500 million runway at Sharjah International Airport, in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and other sheikhs and officials.
The inauguration of the runway reflects H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan's keenness in following up on all vital projects that contribute to the growth of the emirate and the efforts made to provide the business sector and the public with a high-quality service infrastructure.
The project covers the construction of the main runway, spanning 4,060 metres with a width of 60 metres, running parallel to the former runway. It also has two taxi-ways and eight connecting corridors that are intended to let aircraft get off the main runway and into the hangar in the shortest time possible.
The runway is equipped with multiple control systems, aeronautics and lighting, and electromechanical equipment to match the CAT II level of operating efficiency, as determined by the specifications of the General Civil Aviation Authority of the U.A.E. and the International Civil Aviation Organisation. The runway's operating efficiency can later be upgraded to CAT III B. The new runway has been designed to receive large aircraft and new generations of aircraft (Code F), such as the Boeing 747-800, Airbus A380, and giant freighters like AN124 and AN225.
The Sharjah Ruler's private jet took off and landed on the new runway to mark its first use.