The first phase of Dubai’s Al-Maktoum International airport is scheduled to open on 27 June for cargo operations, according to a report in the local media.

The airport will open initially for freight operations with passenger operations to follow, according to Paul Griffiths, chief executive officer of Dubai Airports Company.

It is not clear when the airport will be ready to start passenger operations. Officials at Dubai Airports Company were unavailable for comment.

The airport is part of the $33bn Dubai World Central development close to Jebel Ali. It will also include a centre for logistics companies and residential developments.

A consortium comprising local Arabtec Construction and Malaysia’s WCT Engineering won the construction contract for the airport in 2006.

Once complete, Al-Maktoum International airport will be able to handle 160 million passengers a year.