• Side view of air traffic control tower with a conical base surrounded by a complex set of steel beams juting out of the structure.
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    Dubai International, United Arab Emirates (DXB/OMDB)
    Dubai's airport began with a terminal, fire station, and single runway of compacted sand. It has steadily grown to emerge as one of the world's major airports. It now has two CAT III B instrument landing systems for low visibility conditions and runways large enough to handle the Airbus A380, the world's largest airliner. The 87-meter (285-foot) airport traffic control tower, with its buttressed center column and arched wings, resembles a futuristic avian sculpture. A multilevel control center crowns the tower, with Dubai Air Navigation Services operating from its perch.

  • Side view of air traffic control tower with a conical base surrounded by a complex set of steel beams juting out of the structure.

Photographer:

Carolyn Russo

ID#:

WEB15109-2015

Source:

Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum

Copyright:

Smithsonian Institution

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