Super-sized for a super-jumbo: Dubai opens new airport concourse specially designed for the Airbus A380
- Airbus A380 super-aircraft is so large some airports have to be adjusted to accommodate it
- 20-gate concourse is part of a wider $7.8bn expansion plan for Dubai Airport as it sets to be world's busiest by 2015
- New Concourse A lounges comes complete with business centres, showcase kitchens and a spa
By
Leon Watson
PUBLISHED:
03:39 GMT, 11 February 2013
|
UPDATED:
15:21 GMT, 11 February 2013
A giant new airport concourse has been opened in Dubai so that the Airbus A380 super-jumbos can land in the Arab country.
The opening of 20 new gates at the international airport are part of the city-state's plans for the facility to become the busiest in the world by 2015.
The first A380 touched down on January 2 but it wasn't officially opened until yesterday.
In total it is expected the project will cost nearly $8billion and the ability to land the 525-seater planes is seen as a major boost for the European Airbus consortium.
Emirates, an airline based in Dubai, currently flies 31 A380s with another 59 on order.
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During the first month of operations following its inaugural flight on January 2, Concourse A has handled 461,972 pieces of luggage carried on over 2,450 flights serving 589,234 passengers.
Tim
Clark, president of Emirates Airlines, said: 'The full opening of
Concourse A is a significant milestone and achievement in supporting and
enabling the continued growth of Emirates, and our focus and commitment
to being a leader in offering our customers innovative products and
services that provides them with an unsurpassed travel experience.
'With a current fleet of 31 A380s and a further 59 on order, Emirates is the largest operator of this aircraft in the world, and it is only fitting that we have a world class facility that meets this need and represents our leadership in this regard.
Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said: 'Much like the opening of Terminal 3 in 2008, the phase in of Concourse A has resulted in the seamless introduction of world-class infrastructure that responds to the rapid growth of Emirates and caters to the needs of its discerning and truly global customer base.
'Concourse A is a vital element of our 7.8 billion investment in the continued expansion of Dubai International which will see it become the world's busiest airport for international passenger traffic by the end of 2015.'
With 11 floors and a total built-up area of 528,000 sqm, Concourse A is connected to Concourse B and Terminal 3 via an underground train.
Unlike any other airport facility, the First Class and Business Class lounges have dedicated floors that offer direct and access to aircraft boarding gates
The lounges, which extend the entire length of the concourse, are the largest in the world and offer customers fine dining with showcase kitchens, conference rooms, business centres and a Timeless Spa.
Concourse A also offers an enhanced duty free shopping and dining experience featuring a wide variety of globally recognised food and beverage brands.
Concourse A boosts capacity at Dubai International from 60 million to 75 million passengers per year. It is a vital part of Dubai Airports' 7.8 billion Strategic Plan 2020 which will increase airport capacity to 90 million by 2018.
The opening of 20 new gates at the international airport are part of the city-state's plans for the facility to become the busiest in the world by 2015.
The first A380 touched down on January 2 but it wasn't officially opened until yesterday.
In total it is expected the project will cost nearly $8billion and the ability to land the 525-seater planes is seen as a major boost for the European Airbus consortium.
Emirates, an airline based in Dubai, currently flies 31 A380s with another 59 on order.
Scroll down for video
Finally set: Dubai's airport authorities say the
purpose-build concourse for Airbus' A380 aircraft is fully open after
weeks of phased-in operations
Breaking it in: Passengers walk past bars, restaurants and shops in the new purpose-built concourse at Dubai Airport
Gigantic: The Concourse A extension features 20
gates which are designed to accommodate the Airbus A380 with boarding
gates leading directly into the aircraft's upper and main decks
Dubai's growth plans are also a good
sign for European Airbus in its rivalry with Boeing Co whose 787s have
been grounded since mid-January as investigators examine possible
problems with its lithium ion batteries.During the first month of operations following its inaugural flight on January 2, Concourse A has handled 461,972 pieces of luggage carried on over 2,450 flights serving 589,234 passengers.
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'With a current fleet of 31 A380s and a further 59 on order, Emirates is the largest operator of this aircraft in the world, and it is only fitting that we have a world class facility that meets this need and represents our leadership in this regard.
Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said: 'Much like the opening of Terminal 3 in 2008, the phase in of Concourse A has resulted in the seamless introduction of world-class infrastructure that responds to the rapid growth of Emirates and caters to the needs of its discerning and truly global customer base.
'Concourse A is a vital element of our 7.8 billion investment in the continued expansion of Dubai International which will see it become the world's busiest airport for international passenger traffic by the end of 2015.'
Polished off: A cleaner makes the final touches
to ensure that Concourse A is ready to take on the millions of
travellers Dubai Airport hope is going to help make it the world's
busiest airport
Lounge-ing about: Passengers wait to board an Emirates Airbus A380 aircraft at the new Concourse A
Emirates cabin attendants prepare the inside of an Airbus A380 aircraft for a flight at the new Concourse A
Royal flight: An Airbus A 380 owned by Emirates airlines in parking position at a gate
An Emirates Airline Airbus A380 is pulled back
from the jet bridges at a gate at Concourse A from Terminal 3 for taking
off at Dubai International Airport, in Dubai
Concourse A is part of the Terminal 3
complex built for the use of Emirates, from where its passengers can
travel to its network of 21 A380 destinations.With 11 floors and a total built-up area of 528,000 sqm, Concourse A is connected to Concourse B and Terminal 3 via an underground train.
Unlike any other airport facility, the First Class and Business Class lounges have dedicated floors that offer direct and access to aircraft boarding gates
The lounges, which extend the entire length of the concourse, are the largest in the world and offer customers fine dining with showcase kitchens, conference rooms, business centres and a Timeless Spa.
Concourse A also offers an enhanced duty free shopping and dining experience featuring a wide variety of globally recognised food and beverage brands.
Concourse A boosts capacity at Dubai International from 60 million to 75 million passengers per year. It is a vital part of Dubai Airports' 7.8 billion Strategic Plan 2020 which will increase airport capacity to 90 million by 2018.
Grand spaces: The lounges, which extend the
entire length of the concourse, are the largest in the world and offer
customers fine dining with showcase kitchens, conference rooms, business
centres and a Timeless Spa
Passengers wait to board an Airbus A380 plane at
the transit gate of the Concourse A from Terminal 3 at Dubai
International Airport
A first class seat, complete with a desk and reading lamps, is seen in an Airbus A380
Ready, set, go: Technicians from the Emirates and other nations work at the Emirates Network Control Center in Dubai
Passengers shop in the duty-free shop of the new Concourse A of Dubai airport in Dubai
Everybody should visit this place,it's really fantastic.
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