The CEO of Dubai Airports has told the Associated Press that the opening of Al Maktoum International – potentially the world’s largest airport – could see a second delay, pushing the opening date even further back than the first postponement to June 2010 which was announced earlier this year.

“The question we’re now asking is: when is the right time to open the new airport?” said Paul Griffiths, according to the report. “Rather than rush the opening … we would rather take a longer time, get it absolutely right,” Griffi ths added.

Al Maktoum International – part of the gigantic US$33 billion Dubai World Central project – will be designed to handle around 120 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo a year. Currently Dubai International Airport is still able to handle the current growth in passenger and cargo throughput.