The
extension area of Dubai International Airport (DIA) was on Wednesday
visited by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President
and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The expansion aims
to meet the demand of growing airport traffic and will accommodate
43 million passengers a year. Touring the facilities, dedicated for
the use of Emirates airline, including the new Terminal 3 and Passengers’
Concourse 2, Sheikh Mohammed called the additions “a source
of pride”.
Khalifa
Al Zafeen, CEO of Dubai World Central, gave a presentation on the
two buildings that occupy more than one million square metres at a
total cost of $4 billion (Dh14.6bn) to cater to 43 million passengers
a year. Sheikh Mohammed also visited a three-storey vehicle parking
structure that can accommodate up to 2,000 cars. At
a meeting with young nationals involved in the project, Sheikh Mohammed
praised them for the diligent efforts they put in over the past five
years to complete the vital project. He termed the project as “gigantic”,
as it forms part of Dubai’s development strategy for 2015. The
two facilities will be officially opened in May.
DIA
currently has capacity for 22 million passengers but by the time the
expansion projects are completed it will be able to handle 60 million
passengers a year. Forecasts project the airport to be handling 70
million passengers per year by 2016 and 100 million per year by 2025,
which would make it the world’s largest airport. Located
beneath the taxiway area and directly linked with Concourse 2, Terminal
3 incorporates an innovative design that promotes simplified, easy
passenger flow and decreases walking distances.
Terminal
3’s features include a multi-level underground parking structure,
first-class lounges and dedicated counters, restaurants and 180 check-in
counters. Total built-up area is 5,000 square metres. The departures
and arrivals halls within the terminal will be located 10 metres below
the taxiways. Directly connected to Terminal 3, Concourse 2 is dedicated
exclusively to Emirates airline. The building will include a multi-level
structure for departures and arrivals incorporating 27 contact gates
and 59 passenger-loading bridges.
