(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) A new arrival terminal equipped with smart self check-in kiosks and advanced parking facilities will be opened to passengers in April this year, a top official at Sharjah International Airport Authority (SIAA) told Khaleej Times on Wednesday.
The new arrival terminal is almost complete and expected to attract 12 million passengers from 120 destinations around the world this year.
Speaking to Khaleej Times on the sidelines of the Sharjah Innovation Week, which ended on Wednesday, Shaikh Faisal bin Saud Al Qassimi, director general of SIAA, said that the construction is part of the ongoing Dh1.5 billion Sharjah airport expansion project.
Al Qassimi added that the development of the infrastructure of the airport will continue to attract the international airlines to travel from Sharjah to American, Asian and European cities.
The airport development plan in several phases also includes an expansion of the road network at the airport. The expansion is expected to increase the capacity of Sharjah International Airport to 20 million passengers by 2027.
The development plan also includes using modern facilities such as smart gateways facilitating fast passenger movement and considerably shortening the processing time. The self check-in kiosks will ensure smooth travel procedures as an employee will be available to print out baggage tags and place the bags on the conveyor belt.
Al Qassimi stressed that the expansion of the Sharjah airport will significantly boost and multiply the number of passengers visiting the emirate, improving the existing travel options and boosting economic growth and job creation across various sectors.
He added: "Sharjah International Airport's growth has been driven by the success of inbound tourism industry and Air Arabia, headquartered in Sharjah. The airport's proximity to Dubai and the main highways connecting the country's seven emirates has made it a convenient hub for both business and leisure travellers."
The airport handled 11 million passengers from January to December 2016, registering a 10 per cent compared to 2015. In January 2017, the airport handled 11.36 passengers.
Describing the importance of participating in the UAE Innovation Month, Al Qassimi said: "Through our participation in the UAE Innovation Month, we are showcasing the most innovative initiatives and projects being implemented by us. One of the displays is a video presentation on our smart travel initiative, which provides an easy and quick travel experience for travellers passing through Sharjah International Airport."
Afkar Abdullah
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