Dubai unveils plans for the world's biggest airport

Dubai has unveiled plans for what will be the world's largest airport.

Once complete, Al Makhtoum International Airport will be capable of handling 260 million passengers per year. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, vice president and ruler of Dubai said.

It will be five times the size of the current Dubai International Airport, which is already ranked top globally for international passenger traffic, travel news portal Skift reported.

Dubai officials said airport operations would be switched from the current Dubai International Airport to Al Maktoum International Airport “within the next 10 years.”

“Dubai will be the world’s airport, its port, its urban hub, and its new global centre,” Sheikh Mohammed said.

The rulers has approved the designs for the new terminals and given the go ahead for the commencement of construction for the project. It is expected to cost $US35 billion.

The airport will be able to accommodate 400 aircraft gates and feature five parallel runways, according to an official statement.

“DXB (Dubai International Airport) will continue to serve as the primary hub, meeting the needs of 100 million plus guests over the next few years as phase two of DWC (Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International Airport) takes shape," Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said in a statement.

"We will be actively collaborating with our airline customers, our strategic partners, the Dubai Government, and our stakeholders to bring this visionary project to fruition.

“There isn’t really the space to be able to add additional runways or terminals at DXB so all eyes are on the potential future of another airport development at DWC.”

Dubai has also set an ambitious target of 40 million hotel guests annually by 2031.

“The new airport… will prepare the ground for the next 40 years of anticipated growth in Dubai’s aviation sector. It will respond to the Hub Airline ambitious plans in terms of fleet acquisition and passenger growth,” said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and Group.

The world's largest hotel wine cellar celebrates 150 years

Created in 1874, the legendary wine cellars at Monaco’s Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo are this year marking 150 years - in conspicuous style.

With 350,000 bottles spread over 1.5 kilometres of racks in a 1500m2 space, the hotel cellars are the largest in the world and hold myriad treasures. They will play host to a a series of dinners and masterclasses, The Monaco Tribune reports.

The Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, the group which owns the hotel, is pulling out all the stops,

Stéphane Valeri, SBM’s managing director, says: “The 150th anniversary of the Hôtel de Paris cellars celebrates not only Marie Blanc’s fabulous legacy, but also the passion and talent of our cellarmen and sommeliers, who are keeping this heritage alive, whether in the cellars, or in our 30 or so restaurants and bars today.

"For our group, it’s about sharing and handing down through the years.”

Additionally, Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo’s is renewing its production tradition to launch a Grande Champagne Premier Cru de Cognac, an XO Extra Old quality Champagne Cognac.

The Cognac will be available from this month.

The cellar was carved into the rock under the palace at the request of Marie Blanc, the wife of François Blanc, founder of the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer.

To coincide with the 150th anniversary, the cellars are undergoing a two-stage renovation project, beginning with a new entrance, reception, and tasting room.

Image: Monaco Tribune