Al Bhatti
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September 4, 2013
Fifty million passengers, 6,000 flights a week and a lot of baggage equals an incredible task for Dubai airport staff from the baggage handlers on the ground to the air traffic controllers monitoring the skies to keep things running smoothly. The series goes behind-the-scenes of this non-stop operation to explore the technological challenges, cutting-edge engineering and stunning architecture alongside a truly international cast of characters who deal every day with the pressures of running a very large, dynamic airport.
Ultimate Airport Dubai TV show premieres on National Geographic Channel
National Geographic Channel show has been a year in the making
Try taking in these numbers: 344,000 flights, 57 million passengers, 2 million tons of cargo. Thats just some of the statistics the Dubai International Airport handles in a year. Then consider the 60,000 people that work there to keep it running, safe, secure and on schedule, including at Terminal 3, which happens to be the largest building on earth by floor space. And that number doesnt even include the team working on the new $3.2 billion (Dh11.7 million) A380 facility. Add to that the action at Air Traffic Control which handles emergency landings, or the drama of customs intercepting suspected smugglers or engineers taking apart multi-million dollar jets to dealing with late flights and angry passengers.
All of this makes for a compelling subject, which is exactly what National Geographic Channel has done with Ultimate Airport Dubai, a 10-part series that premiers on Thursday night at 8pm.
tabloid! spoke with the series director, John Smithson, and asked him how he and his team documented the story of the worlds second busiest airport for international passengers, and why its such a good one to tell.
When did you start filming Ultimate Airport Dubai?
We started discussions with the Airport in January 2012 and started filming in September 2012.
Why did you choose Dubai?
TV audiences around the world are fascinated by what is happening in Dubai. Plus the incredible growth of Dubai Airport is amazing. They are changing the global face of aviation and making Dubai the crossroads of the world. So we knew it was a fantastic story.
What kind of access did you get?
We got great access, more than any other airport or airline has ever granted. Plus you need 24/7 assistance. You cant just turn up and film. There are big safety and security issues and you cant do anything that affects the smooth running of the airport.
What struck you most about Dubai International Airport?
The ambition and desire to turn it into the worlds biggest international airport
What are the things that surprised you most?
Just how busy it is in the middle of the night, when flights from all over the world connect up in Dubai. Most European and American airports are closed during the night, whereas Dubai is pulsating.
What would you say were the biggest challenges?
Filming a 10-hour series is a major undertaking and it is very difficult to plan what happens or be in the right place at the right time.
How long were you filming? And how long did production take?
We filmed from September 2012 to February 2013. From beginning to end it took nearly a year.
What do you think viewers will be most surprised by?
All the hard work that keeps the airport and the airline ticking over that, as passengers, we dont see.
What would you like viewers to take away from the series?
We take flying for granted and expect to whizz around the world without thinking about the incredible skill and dedication of the people that make it happen.
The 10-part Ultimate Airport Dubai will air every Thursday on National Geographic Channel at 8pm with a repeat at 11.30pm.
Ultimate Airport Dubai TV show premieres on National Geographic Channel | GulfNews.com
Ultimate Airport Dubai - National Geographic Channel - UK
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5 September 2013
Shaikh Mohammed watches documentary on Dubai airport
His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, attended on Wednesday at the Meydan IMAX theatre, a screening of a documentary reflecting day-to-day operations at the Dubai International Airport.
The one-hour film included scenes of the mechanism of the daily work at the various facilities of Dubai International Airport and the services provided to passengers until arrival at the exit gates.
The documentary filmed and recorded in collaboration between Dubai Airports and National Geographic Company, has ten episodes, and would be launched on Thursday on National Geographic channel for 500 million spectators around the world.
The documentary shows normal daily works at the Dubai airport and the facilities offered to passengers at the runway, gates, immigration counters, baggage collection areas and customs gates.
Shaikh Mohammed praised the effort made in producing and filming the documentary and ordered repeated broadcasting to the people of the world.
Shaikh Mohammed praised the efforts made in producing and filming the documentary . He ordered it to be screened several times to be watched by the largest possible number of the worlds population to learn about the achievements of the UAE civilisation and about the ability of the national staff to innovate and compete in the various fields of construction and giving, at regional and global levels.
Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Aviation Authority and Chief Executive of Emirates Group were also attended the screening.
Also present were Shaikh Saeed bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, Director General of Dubai Rulers Court, Khalifa Saeed Sulaiman, Director General of Dubai Protocol and Hospitality Department, Saeed Humaid Al Tayer, Chairman of Meydan Board of Directors, Ward Platt, CEO of National Geographic Channels International, senior officials and members media representatives.
Shaikh Mohammed watches documentary on Dubai airport
Fifty million passengers, 6,000 flights a week and a lot of baggage equals an incredible task for Dubai airport staff from the baggage handlers on the ground to the air traffic controllers monitoring the skies to keep things running smoothly. The series goes behind-the-scenes of this non-stop operation to explore the technological challenges, cutting-edge engineering and stunning architecture alongside a truly international cast of characters who deal every day with the pressures of running a very large, dynamic airport.
Ultimate Airport Dubai TV show premieres on National Geographic Channel
National Geographic Channel show has been a year in the making
Try taking in these numbers: 344,000 flights, 57 million passengers, 2 million tons of cargo. Thats just some of the statistics the Dubai International Airport handles in a year. Then consider the 60,000 people that work there to keep it running, safe, secure and on schedule, including at Terminal 3, which happens to be the largest building on earth by floor space. And that number doesnt even include the team working on the new $3.2 billion (Dh11.7 million) A380 facility. Add to that the action at Air Traffic Control which handles emergency landings, or the drama of customs intercepting suspected smugglers or engineers taking apart multi-million dollar jets to dealing with late flights and angry passengers.
All of this makes for a compelling subject, which is exactly what National Geographic Channel has done with Ultimate Airport Dubai, a 10-part series that premiers on Thursday night at 8pm.
tabloid! spoke with the series director, John Smithson, and asked him how he and his team documented the story of the worlds second busiest airport for international passengers, and why its such a good one to tell.
When did you start filming Ultimate Airport Dubai?
We started discussions with the Airport in January 2012 and started filming in September 2012.
Why did you choose Dubai?
TV audiences around the world are fascinated by what is happening in Dubai. Plus the incredible growth of Dubai Airport is amazing. They are changing the global face of aviation and making Dubai the crossroads of the world. So we knew it was a fantastic story.
What kind of access did you get?
We got great access, more than any other airport or airline has ever granted. Plus you need 24/7 assistance. You cant just turn up and film. There are big safety and security issues and you cant do anything that affects the smooth running of the airport.
What struck you most about Dubai International Airport?
The ambition and desire to turn it into the worlds biggest international airport
What are the things that surprised you most?
Just how busy it is in the middle of the night, when flights from all over the world connect up in Dubai. Most European and American airports are closed during the night, whereas Dubai is pulsating.
What would you say were the biggest challenges?
Filming a 10-hour series is a major undertaking and it is very difficult to plan what happens or be in the right place at the right time.
How long were you filming? And how long did production take?
We filmed from September 2012 to February 2013. From beginning to end it took nearly a year.
What do you think viewers will be most surprised by?
All the hard work that keeps the airport and the airline ticking over that, as passengers, we dont see.
What would you like viewers to take away from the series?
We take flying for granted and expect to whizz around the world without thinking about the incredible skill and dedication of the people that make it happen.
The 10-part Ultimate Airport Dubai will air every Thursday on National Geographic Channel at 8pm with a repeat at 11.30pm.
Ultimate Airport Dubai TV show premieres on National Geographic Channel | GulfNews.com
Ultimate Airport Dubai - National Geographic Channel - UK
-----------------------------------------------
5 September 2013
Shaikh Mohammed watches documentary on Dubai airport
His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, attended on Wednesday at the Meydan IMAX theatre, a screening of a documentary reflecting day-to-day operations at the Dubai International Airport.
The one-hour film included scenes of the mechanism of the daily work at the various facilities of Dubai International Airport and the services provided to passengers until arrival at the exit gates.
The documentary filmed and recorded in collaboration between Dubai Airports and National Geographic Company, has ten episodes, and would be launched on Thursday on National Geographic channel for 500 million spectators around the world.
The documentary shows normal daily works at the Dubai airport and the facilities offered to passengers at the runway, gates, immigration counters, baggage collection areas and customs gates.
Shaikh Mohammed praised the effort made in producing and filming the documentary and ordered repeated broadcasting to the people of the world.
Shaikh Mohammed praised the efforts made in producing and filming the documentary . He ordered it to be screened several times to be watched by the largest possible number of the worlds population to learn about the achievements of the UAE civilisation and about the ability of the national staff to innovate and compete in the various fields of construction and giving, at regional and global levels.
Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Aviation Authority and Chief Executive of Emirates Group were also attended the screening.
Also present were Shaikh Saeed bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, Director General of Dubai Rulers Court, Khalifa Saeed Sulaiman, Director General of Dubai Protocol and Hospitality Department, Saeed Humaid Al Tayer, Chairman of Meydan Board of Directors, Ward Platt, CEO of National Geographic Channels International, senior officials and members media representatives.
Shaikh Mohammed watches documentary on Dubai airport
