Dubai International to have 47 gates for A380

The project will increase the number of Code F gates (A380 gates) at Concourse C

Dubai International airport has planned to expand its dedicated A380 gates and soon the world's busiest airport for international traffic will have 47 gates, more than any airport in the world.
On Monday, its operator Dubai Airports announced that it has commissioned work on a project that will expand the number of A380 contact stands at the airport's Concourse C to enable the facility to accommodate Emirates' growing fleet of superjumbos
The project will increase the number of Code F gates (A380 gates) at Concourse C from 3 to 13, bringing the total number of A380 gates at DXB to 47.
Concourse C became a part of the Terminal 3 complex used exclusively by Dubai's flagship carrier Emirates and its partner Qantas, following the opening of the US$ 1.2 billion Concourse D in February earlier this year.
"Emirates' growing A380 fleet has necessitated the need for more contact stands so that the airline can continue to absorb the balance of the fleet it has on order as well continue its organic expansion across its network," Saj Ahmad, chief analyst at StrategicAero Research, told Khaleej Times.
The upgrade project which commenced in the third quarter this year and is expected to be completed by the end of 2018, is part of Dubai's Airports' DXB Plus programme under which the operator aims to increase DXB's capacity to 118 million passengers per year by 2023 without building any additional major infrastructure. DXB Plus will boost throughput and enhance service through the design and implementation of customer-centric processes and the application of smart technology.
Concourse C will also undergo interior refurbishment as part of the upgrade project, including the re-design and enhancement of gate hold rooms, increase of dedicated airline lounge space, and ambiance enhancements to improve the overall customer experience.
Commenting on the project Bryan Thompson, senior vice-president of Development at Dubai Airports, said, "Considering the traffic growth at Dubai International and the central role the airport will continue to play for the aviation sector as well as Dubai's economy over the next 10 years, it is vital that we provide additional capacity while enhancing our customer service. We believe this first project under DXB Plus will deliver on both fronts."
- abdulbasit@khaleejtimes.com