The tendering process for the multi-billion-dollar Jebel Ali Airport City (JAAC) project will begin next month and the infrastructure and facilities construction will start by the second quarter of 2006, a report said.

The project is claimed to be the world’s first integrated logistics and multi-modal transport platform.
The $544 million first phase of the 140 sq km Airport City includes the Dubai Logistics City (DLC) and one runway.
Work on the dedicated runway, the first of the six the airport will eventually feature, is progressing and will be completed by 2007 enabling DLC to operate as a freighter airport capable of handling the new generation superjumbos.
“Everything is on schedule and we will begin infrastructure and facilities construction early next year,” said Michael Proffitt, DLC’s CEO.
Spread over 25 sq km, the DLC – designed to eventually handle more than 12 million tonnes of air cargo annually through 16 air cargo terminals – will begin operating in 2007. The project is aimed at catering to the logistics requirements of the greater Middle East up to 2050.
The Jebel Ali Airport, when it goes full swing, will have the capacity to handle 120 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo annually.
The combined passenger handling capacity of Dubai's two airports – Dubai International and Jebel Ali – is projected to exceed 190 million passengers per year by 2010.
This figure includes 70 million passengers passing through Dubai International Airport and 120 million through Jebel Ali Airport.
Global companies are showing an increased interest in this logistics super-hub. DLC, which has received initial commitment for 1.4 million sq m of area, is holding talks with several global players who have shown interest to set up bases in Dubai, he said.
The airport will be the combined size of London’s Heathrow and Chicago's O’Hare airports upon completion, they said.
“No airport has ever been built to this scale – or been served with infrastructure of this magnitutde and sophistication. It will accommodate every aircraft type yet conceived,” said Khalifa Al Zaffin, director engineering and Projects, Department of Civil Aviation, Government of Dubai.  The airport, which is 40 km from Dubai International Airport (DIA), is a long-term visionary project, designed to serve the emirate’s passenger and cargo air transportation needs until 2050.”