Dubai trip (information)

 Dubai Airports upgrades T2 International, prepares to bring more travelers

In a world of constant streamlining and automation, the new iteration of Dubai International's terminal is proof that sometimes things don't always go according to plan, at least according to the architects and engineers who designed the recently completed T2 International (gate E6) wing expansion project. What was supposed to be an all-encompassing experience for airport travelers has become an achingly inefficient and inconvenient labor of love for airport employees, contractors and the construction team that rolled the wings out of the airport in April 2017. And a major mishap occurred that jeopardized what was just one week away from opening. But after months of trial and error, the airport did manage to squeeze more wings out of the old Boeing 747s, and to successfully complete the extension project just in time for the busy winter season. The new T2 wing expansion at Dubai International Airport's Terminal 3. (Photo: Dominic Wilcox) Two men were killed and several others injured on the construction site while working on the project, a one-time operation where wings of two Boeing 747s were cut off and inserted into the new airport terminals. Dubai Airports' engineering team had attempted a repair by removing two of the wings and welding in the new steel support beams, but the repairs proved to be unsuccessful. The wings were replaced by crane in early February. "We got them out of there just as the crane pulled it up and off the scaffolding," said Tim Young, director of expansion for Dubai Airports. "The metal points on the side had become loose and then swung and struck the workers." A team of engineers then had to recalibrate the structures before the project could be completed and guests could board the plane. It's the type of story you'll only read about in a James Bond movie, but it's one that's been played out time and time again in construction and engineering. Dubai isn't the first major hub to face a major wing problem, and it's not the first one to get away with it. An airport once again readies to welcome more passengers The T2 wing expansion at Dubai International is just one of the many projects at the airport. (Photo: Dominic Wilcox) Athletic-sized helicopter blades were installed at Brussels Airport in 2016, raising