Dubai International Airport has come a long way since its humble beginnings, says Helga Jensen-Forde. With an ambitious blueprint, it's set to redefine the transit experience.
When Dubai International Airport (DIA) was established in 1959, it was particularly modest with its 1,800-metre compacted runway and minimal facilities. Then, it was only capable of handling an aircraft the size of a DC-3.
Fast forward to 2008, and the airport is busily preparing for the arrival of the Airbus A380 superjumbo and boasts two terminals, with another set to open in the very near future. Sheikh Rashid Terminal 1, which offers approximately 221 check-in desks and a separate dedicated check-in and immigration facility for Emirates First and Business Class passengers, is now used by most major airlines.
Meanwhile, Terminal 2, which was built to ease the tedious congestion of the popular airport, is employed by aircraft coming from Iran, CIS countries and chartered flights. It is also used by private jet owners – of which there are many – and high-profile guests, who make use of the VIP terminal located there. Hence, it’s safe to say that DIA is now competing with other world-leading airports.
The latest figures are telling evidence. According to the latest update posted on its website (www.dubaiairport.com), Dubai International handled a total of 34.34 million passengers – surpassing the initial management projection of 33 million – and over 260,000 flights in 2007.
The record growth is likely to move it higher on ACI’s (Airports Council International) list of the globe’s busiest airports (in terms of international passengers). In 2006, DIA was ranked 10 on the list with a passenger throughput of 28.78 million. The high growth rate in passenger throughput registered in 2007 means that for the sixth consecutive year, Dubai International has maintained an average growth rate of well over 15 percent.
This, perhaps, set a precedent as the airport is continuing to grow, both in passenger numbers and in size. First quarter figures already show that passenger throughout is up by 15 percent and crossed the 9 million mark in the first quarter of this year. This is merely a drop in the ocean compared with future predictions though, as passenger throughout is expected to cross 40 million this year, and reach 60 million by 2010.
Those who have been caught in DIA’s by now annoying queues may well be concerned that those figures suggest even more inconvenience. However, as the airport is in the process of completing a US$4.5 billion expansion programme that began in 2002, this is hopefully predicted to improve sooner rather than later. Meanwhile, here is a refresher course on current and future facilities at this gateway.
THINK FAST-TRACK
Those not flying at the front of the aircraft who don’t have the privilege of joining the immigrations fast-track queues, regular travellers to Dubai are advised to get an eGate card. With a possible one-hour long wait at immigration if you arrive at the airport’s busiest time – between 0100 and 0200 – the card, which is available at the airport for passengers not requiring a visit visa, is well worth the US$54 it costs.
ENDLESS SHOPPING
However, with its duty-free shopping, a plethora of modern First and Business Class airport lounges, 25 food and beverage outlets and a deluxe five-star hotel with its own health club and spa, the stress of those immigration and check-in queues can eventually be cast aside.
Famous worldwide, Dubai Duty Free is nothing short of a shopping extravaganza, winning more than 140 awards since it opened in 1983. Its most recent accolade was for “Best Duty Free Shopping” for the seventh consecutive year at the Business Traveller Middle East award ceremony held on the eve of Dubai’s 2008 Arabian Travel Market in May.
Dubai Duty Free, which announced a 31 percent increase in sales for the first quarter of this year, had previously recorded a total of 19 million sale transactions, signifying an average of 52,000 sale transactions per day in 2007 – proof that it is indeed a favourite with passengers. Featuring leading clothing labels and the latest high-tech items, it also boasts an elaborate gold souk, which accounts for approximately 12 percent of its sales. Plus, there is also a wide range of the requisite perfumes and cosmetics, watches as well as favourite liquor and tobacco brands.
But the USP Dubai Duty Free has pioneered – now emulated by other airports – was the Finest Surprise Luxury Car Raffle. With only 1,000 tickets for each draw (at US$139 a pop), passengers can win a top-of-the-line vehicle or, more recently, a Harley Davidson motorbike for a ticket costing US$28.
LOUNGES WITH A TWIST
For passengers travelling with Emirates, the First and Business Class Lounges in Terminal 1 can be rather frenetic during peak times, to say the least. However, they’re set to become as enticing as the airport’s retail experience.
By year-end, themed First and Business Class facilities with concepts such as a zen garden, will open. These will offer showers, family-oriented facilities and gourmet cuisine, including a stylish Show Kitchen where guests can watch master chefs preparing meals.
Frequent travellers are catered for even more with a state-of-the-art media and business centre, offering Wi-Fi and meeting areas designed with a calm and relaxing environment.
SHORT-TIME SANCTUARY
The five-star Dubai International Hotel also provides a fully equipped business centre.
Located on the arrivals level of Terminal 1, the hotel consists of 88 plush guestrooms. Room rates go for US$316 a night for a Deluxe Twin Room or US$2,631 for a Royal Suite. All are equipped with an interactive TV system, allowing high-speed internet access and room service orders.
FROM DRAWING BOARD TO REALITY
The expansion programme of Dubai International Airport is a major undertaking, involving the construction of Terminal 3, consisting of Concourses 2 and 3.
Currently, dry runs are being conducted on Terminal 3 and Concourse 2 – which has been assigned to Emirates – so as to avoid the teething problems experienced by London Heathrow’s Terminal 5. The exact date for the opening of Terminal 3 has not yet been confirmed, but with a whole new immigration facility and 180 check-in desks, it is hoped that congestion will be eliminated, if not minimised.
Concourse 3, meanwhile, continues with construction, and it is not yet clear whether the facility will again be dedicated to Emirates. However, it has been reported that the overall development will enable Dubai International to handle up to 70 million passengers annually.
In addition, the project increases the airport’s capacity to accommodate the Airbus A380 with the addition of 23 gates specially designed to handle bigger passenger traffic.
A second, no less important, component of the project is the rise of a mega cargo terminal able to handle 1.4 million tonnes of freight annually. To allow efficient movement around the complex, a new light rail system is being rushed.
The current building boom in aviation facilities is not limited to Dubai International. Another emerging commercial district, Dubai World Central in Jebel Ali Port, 35km southwest of the city centre, will acquire its own state-of-the-art hub.
The future US$8.1 billion Al Maktoum International Airport (artist’s rendering above) will open in 2015 with three terminals, one servicing budget and regional airlines and two others, which will be mega in size. (Emirates is expected to dominate one of the larger terminals.)
At Al Maktoum, provision will be made for luxury executive jet operators. The airport intends to compete with established rivals in this arena such as Van Nuys in California and Farnborough in the UK.
To allow simutaneous landings and take offs at Al Maktoum, six 4,500-metre parallel runways will be made operational. Activity at this airport kicks off at the end of the year when the first cargo terminal will be ready. When completed the project will earn a reputation as the world’s biggest passenger and cargo hub.+
RETAIL GIANT
Dubai Duty Free opened for business in December 1983 and in its first full year, succeeded in reaching sales of US$20 million. It has rapidly grown since then and, in 2007, sales reached US$80 million.
It will continue to grow and expand in line with the multibillion dollar development of Dubai International Airport and the opening of Al Maktoum International Airport.
The launch of Concourse 2 and Terminal 3 will result in the retail operation of Dubai Duty Free more than doubling in size from its current 7,000sqm to 15,000sqm. Consequently, staffing will be increase from 2,000 to 3,000 in the coming months. Dubai Duty Free is also planning significant presence in the sprawling Dubai World Central in Jebel Ali, which has been designed to eventually handle 120 million passengers.
