Work on the Middle East’s tallest free standing air traffic control (ATC) tower is moving ahead of schedule in the United Arab Emirates as the world’s largest airport - Dubai World Central International Airport (JXB) - gets ready for operations next year.

“Progress is ahead of schedule with 60% of the 92 metre tall air traffic control (ATC) tower, which will be capable of handling the latest in avionics equipment and state-of-the-art meteorological and radar systems,” said Abdulla Al Falasi, Marketing and Corporate Communications Director of Dubai World Central, the 140 square kilometre urban aviation community in Dubai’s Jebel Ali district.

Arabtec/Max Bogl JV, a UAE-German joint venture which is building the tower at an estimated US$ 39.1 million, expects construction to be complete in February 2008, well in time for final air traffic control solutions to be in place.