First Dubai Airport in 1960 pictures

The Dubai's first airport opened in 1960 with a sand runway. Here is the selection of archival photographs of the Dubai first magnificent airport, which opened officially in 1960. Then, Dubai International was able to handle aircraft the size of a Douglas DC-3 on a runway 1.8 kilometers long and made entirely of compacted sand.

Today Dubai's beautiful second airport, much expanded has surpassed London's Heathrow as the world's busiest. Dubai International (DXB) won't relinquish the title anytime soon. The occasion provides an opportunity to wax nostalgic as we look back at the Middle East in a different time, both in aeronautics and geopolitics.

 
The Dubai International recorded a total of 27,909 aircraft movements in September, up 3.9 per cent compared to 26,860 in September 2011.

First Dubai Airport in 1960 pictures