Dubai Airports opens Concourse D extension
Part of $1.2bn investment to boost capacity to 90 million passengers a year
The Concourse D extension of Dubai International Airport opened on Wednesday, as part of a $1.2 billion investment to boost the hub’s capacity to 90 million passengers a year.
The world’s busiest airport by passenger traffic will now be home to more than 70 international carriers, according to a Dubai Airports statement.
Dubai International previously catered for up to 75 million passengers a year, and it is projected that 85 million will use the hub this year, the statement said.
IN PICTURES: Concourse D at Dubai International Airport
“We continue to invest in the development of top-flight infrastructure to augment service levels for our international airlines and their customers while providing the capacity needed to meet growing demand,” said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Airports, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, and Chairman and CEO of Emirates Group.
The opening followed tests involving 2,000 members of the public earlier this month. Two airlines will operate from Concourse D on day one – British Airways and Royal Jordanian – with the remainder phasing in operations over the next few weeks.
Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, announced that a projected 85 million passengers will visit Dubai International this year. “With the addition of Concourse D, Dubai International is getting both bigger and better,” he said.
The concourse is linked to the newly renovated Terminal 1 by a dedicated airport train that can transport 300 passengers per trip. It has 21 aircraft contact stands, of which four will be able to accommodate an Airbus A380 or Boeing 747, and 11 remote stands.
IN PICTURES: Concourse D at Dubai International Airport
