Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum
Construction of the airport was ordered by the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, in 1959. It officially opened in 1960 with its first airfield, at which time it was able to handle aircraft the size of a Douglas DC-3 on a runway made of compacted sand. Three turning-areas, an apron and small terminal completed the airport that was constructed by Costain.