Introduction
As part of my appointment as Chief Project Manager at Qatar Airlines, I announce the start of a project to build a new international airport in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The new airport will be situated away from the existing one in the city’s center, on E66 near Dubai Outlet Mall. As part of our project, we plan to create a convenient airport directly linked to the city center. The implementation of the project will take place in several stages, including the construction of the airport building and runways, the organization of internal and external management, and the creation of specialized teams in narrow areas (Koseoglu, Sakin, and Arayic, 2018).
The project management will take place under my supervision and a team of trained specialists from different fields that will regulate the construction and internal organization of the airport. For the project to be completed on time, we will cooperate with the local authorities to achieve the best fit between the idea and the final result.
Project Overview
The airport project consists of several phases involving the construction and equipping of the interior and exterior of the airport, as well as its connection to the city. The project’s primary goal is to build a new airport in Dubai, UAE, located at the intersection of highways E66 and E611, which is best suited for international traffic. The design and construction of the airport will be carried out using modern standards, complying with international and local laws. The project will have plans, allowing timely coordination of each stage.
The project will include the material costs of building the airport: the main terminal, runways and ancillary facilities, adding terminals and ancillary facilities as the project progresses, and installing advanced security systems and other technologies to ensure passenger safety. Costs for other services will be included: provision of a restaurant complex, stores, passenger and staff notification systems, and indoor seating areas. The plan will consider the human resources and time it will take to realize the project thoroughly and include an outlook for future use of the airport.
Project Deliverables
The Dubai New Airport Project results are complex and require careful planning and execution for successful completion. Key project deliverables include designing and constructing all necessary airport facilities, including runways, terminals, control towers, and support buildings (Hargaden et al., 2019). It involves working with architects and engineers to develop airport plans and overseeing the construction process to ensure that all facilities are built to the necessary specifications and standards. Personnel will be hired to provide interior construction and organize the airport’s waiting and rest areas.
Except the physical construction of the airport facilities, the project will include installing all necessary equipment. It includes air traffic control, baggage handling, and other systems necessary for safe and efficient airport operations (Almansoori, Rahman, and Memon, 2021). The project team will work with equipment vendors to procure and install these systems and conduct thorough testing and commissioning to ensure they work correctly before the airport is commissioned. The equipment includes public address systems, smoke detectors, security cameras for significant entrances and exits, electronic signage, and billboards. Passenger communication systems will be installed in the rest areas.
Another significant result of the project is the development of the surrounding infrastructure, including access roads and utility networks. It involves coordination with local authorities and utility providers to ensure that the necessary infrastructure is in place to support the airport. It contains construction of all necessary parking facilities and installing lighting and signage to make the airport easily accessible and navigable for passengers and airport employees. Our goal is to establish connections between the airport and the city so that passengers can quickly get to where they need to go before or after arrival/departure. Our plan includes creating several routes allowing passengers to travel directly to the airport from significant city locations.
Work Breakdown Structure
The work for constructing the new airport will be divided into several major phases, allowing us to quickly and efficiently achieve the above mentioned results. The first phase of the project will be the design and planning phase, during which the layout and design of the airport will be completed and all necessary permits and approvals obtained (Al-Mazrouie et al., 2020). The project’s second phase is the construction phase, during which all airport facilities and infrastructure will be built. It involves coordinating with a team of architects, engineers, and contractors who oversee the construction process and ensure its continuity (Güner and Cebeci, 2021).
The construction phase will include laying the foundation for the internal breakdown of the airport – adjusting the ratio of the interior appearance, and forming each area (rest, waiting, restrooms, and mosque).
The project’s third phase will be the testing and commissioning phase, during which all systems and equipment will be tested and fine-tuned. It will thoroughly test all airport systems, including air traffic control systems, baggage handling systems, and other equipment, to ensure that they work correctly and meet all necessary standards (Koseoglu, Sakin, and Arabic, 2018). The interior set-up will be organized and finished – stores will start operating, and restaurants will be able to form the kitchen and other areas. The fourth and final phase of the project will be the operations phase, during which the airport will be handed over to the airlines.
This phase will include final inspections and evaluations to ensure the airport is ready for operation, as well as training airport personnel in using all systems and equipment. The staff training phase will begin almost from the beginning of construction to ensure that the airport has highly qualified and responsible staff.
Stakeholder Roles and Responsibilities
In terms of stakeholder roles and responsibilities, the project team will oversee the airport’s overall construction. It includes managing the project budget, developing and implementing the project plan, coordinating the efforts of contractors and subcontractors, and ensuring that the project is completed on time and within budget (Chipulu et al., 2019). The project team will liaise with other stakeholders to keep them informed of the project’s progress and address any issues that arise.
Government agencies will play several essential roles in the project. They will provide the necessary approvals and permits and ensure that the airport’s construction complies with all relevant laws and regulations (Almansoori, Rahman, and Memon, 2021). It may include building codes, environmental regulations, and other legal requirements. Government agencies can provide funding for the project and will be involved in overseeing its progress to make sure it is done responsibly and sustainably.
Contractors and subcontractors will be responsible for the actual construction work. It includes excavating and grading the site, laying utilities and infrastructure, and constructing various airport facilities. Residents will be involved in the project, as the new airport construction will likely impact the surrounding area. The project team needs to engage with these communities, listen to their concerns, and address any issues that arise. These could be noise and air pollution, traffic impacts, and others. (Mostafaio and Dulaimi, 2022). The project team must work closely with local authorities and community groups to ensure that construction is done in a way that minimizes any negative impact on the local area. To ensure the success of the airport Project, all of these stakeholders must work together and communicate effectively.
Project Constraints
As with any project activity, there are operations constraints that can affect airport construction’s success and shorten the budget, lengthen the timeline, and reduce the potential payback. Constraints typically include budget constraints, lack of a developed plan for urgency, delays in state and legal approvals of the project, and potential harm from airport operations. More often than not, it is the state of the budget that is the primary source of constraint, as it creates a critical operating framework for projects (Alsulami, 2022).
Concerning the construction of the Dubai airport, the budget could be significantly adjusted due to issues such as lack of approval from the authorities, the need for some equipment and machinery to level the terrain, and weather conditions for construction. An additional category of contingencies will be allocated for the project, reducing the risks.
Timing of the project is necessary to ensure that the project activities are completed on time and that there are no inconsistencies with the documentation and regulations. Completing construction on time is our primary objective, which we will implement through reconciling project plans and consultation with third-party contractors (Cherian, 2020). We believe that using outside personnel to evaluate the plan will allow us to see whether construction can be completed on time. In the context of our task, the overlap with timelines can be due to the coordination of airport-city routes and access roads with city officials, so this is an issue the team will begin to address as early as possible. Regular monitoring and reporting will help manage the work and monitor each step.
Finally, potential environmental impacts could deter the airport project. Airport construction can significantly impact the environment, and the project team needs to consider this (Imran Latif, Al Saadi, and Abdul Rahman, 2019; Petratos, 2020). It may include noise and air pollution, traffic impacts, and other environmental issues. The design team will need to work closely with environmental agencies and other stakeholders to ensure that construction is conducted to minimise any negative environmental impact.
Project Appraisal of the New Airport
The evaluation of a project consists of a thorough review of the potential outcomes of the project. Among the provisions to be included in the evaluation are the location of the airport, internal functionality and travel destinations, the surrounding infrastructure and the services of the airport itself. The location chosen for the airport project is a remote location from the centre of Dubai, located at the intersection of two critical highways.
The location has space and possibilities for implementation, as there is space for preparing access roads and signage (Sharma, 2019). The presence of highways makes it convenient to create routes towards and away from the city. The remoteness of the airport construction area can affect the costs associated with utility bills. This remoteness is offset by the convenience of access roads and connections to parts of the city and the lack of the need for complex schemes to acquire land from communities (Cherian, 2020). The Outlet Mall is nearby, so there is no need to worry about not being able to run any utility lines during construction.
Current air traffic needs are high, and congestion at Dubai’s main downtown airport can be reduced by redistributing the load to the new airport. It will gradually pay for the construction and avoid the absence of airport downtime, as passenger traffic will increase as the city itself grows and the demand for high-quality companies’ services. The new airport will be built by current trends for the cultural environment of Dubai and global trends so that any passenger can feel comfortable despite the presence of remoteness from the city.
Another factor to consider is the financial viability of the new airport will depend on several factors, including the size and design of the airport, its efficiency and the availability of funding (Kumar, 2022; Petratos, 2020). It will be influenced by external factors such as the state of the economy, changes in fuel prices, and competition from other airports. Building a new airport in Dubai is a feasible and potentially successful project based on these considerations.
Other Recommendations and Suggestions
Constructing a new airport in the UAE is feasible, and several other recommendations can improve output quality. It is essential to engage with stakeholders and the local community to understand their concerns and needs and to incorporate these into the design and operation of the new airport. It can include measures to minimize noise and other environmental impacts and initiatives to support the local economy and create jobs. Engaging with stakeholders and the local community can help build project support, which can be critical in obtaining the necessary permits, financing, and approvals.
The project team should carefully plan and coordinate the construction of the new airport to ensure that it is completed on time and within budget. It will require strong project management skills and a focus on efficient and effective construction techniques. Effective project planning involves managing risks, setting clear goals, and monitoring progress to ensure that the project remains on track. It will involve working with the parties involved to ensure that their activities are coordinated and aligned with the project’s overall objectives.
The new airport should be designed with flexibility and adaptability. It means considering future developments in technology and air travel, potential changes and other factors that may affect the airport’s operations. The new airport should be designed to be resilient and withstand potential disruptions such as extreme weather events or other emergencies. This can include measures such as redundant systems, backup generators, and other features that can ensure the airport’s continued operation even in challenging circumstances.
Conclusion
The construction of a new airport in the UAE is a feasible and potentially successful project. By carefully considering the location, demand, and financial viability of the project, and by engaging with stakeholders and the local community, we can ensure that the new airport is a valuable asset for the region. The success of the new airport project will depend on effective planning and coordination. By addressing these key considerations, we can ensure that the new airport is a successful and valuable addition to the UAE’s transportation infrastructure.
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