Dubai invests US$1.2B in airport upgrade

by Payload Asia

Dubai Airports has confirmed its US$ 1.2 billion (AED 4.3 billion) investment in new and upgraded facilities for the over 110 international airlines that operate from Dubai International’s Terminals 1 and 2.

Concourse D, when it opens later this year, will become the new US$ 517 million (AED 1.9 billion) home to nearly 100 airlines that currently occupy Concourse C. It will feature 21 contact stands, of which four will be able to accommodate A380 or B747 aircraft, and 11 remote stands.

Designed around a central atrium, the emphasis in Concourse D is to create a more efficient and intuitive customer experience with short walks to connect passengers with their aircraft. The facility will also feature open gates, which will allow travellers to board directly from the waiting area, giving them more freedom and time to enjoy the full complement of exciting food and beverage outlets.

Construction is on track for completion mid-year, paving the way for the full launch of a rigorous trial and testing programme to ensure that every system and process is ready prior to opening.

A total of US$ 490 million (AED 1.8 billion) is being invested in a major phased refurbishment and modernisation of Terminal 1 and operational areas surrounding it and Concourse D. Upgrades include the improvement to the drop-off and pick-up points in front of the terminal, refurbishment of landside arrivals and the modernisation of the existing check-in and departure hall. A new train station is also being built from where passengers will be transported to Concourse D. The work also includes a reconfigured immigration area and a new airside arrivals route from the new train station.

On the northern side of the airport, a further US$ 163 million (AED 600 million) has been invested to upgrade Terminal 2 which includes a more spacious check-in area with 48 counters, a newly expanded transfer area and 40 additional immigration counters. In the departures area of Terminal 2, new retail outlets and a broader range of food and beverage options were introduced and the number of gates increased to 12 while in arrivals three additional baggage carousels were added, doubling the numbers to a total of six.

“With traffic growth continuing at a rapid pace, we are investing heavily to ensure that the 110 plus international passenger airlines that fly to and from Dubai – and their customers who use our airport facilities –  experience a significantly enhanced product, reflective of the high service standards Dubai has set,” said Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports.