Yesterday, Dubai opened its second International airport, three weeks after its flagship carrier Emirates placed a major order for Airbus 380 super jumbos, enforcing its status as an air transport hub.

The first plane landed on the runway of the Dubai World Central Al Maktoum International Airport. Three air freight companies have begun operations from the new airport with 12 others due to follow.

The first phase will be confined to freight traffic, with a capacity to handle 250,000 tons annually while passenger traffic is scheduled to begin in March 2011, with an annual capacity of five million passengers.

Once it’s completed, Dubai World Central Al Maktoum International airport will be the largest in the world with five runways, four terminal buildings and capacity for 160 million passengers and 12 million tons of cargo.