World's first A380 facility becomes fully operational at Dubai

Dubai, Feb 11, 2013 (WAM) - Dubai Airports and Emirates yesterday announced the successful completion of the phased launch of Concourse A - the home of the A380 and the world's first purpose-built facility for the aircraft at Dubai International. All 20 A380 capable contact gates and Emirates' luxurious First Class and Business Class lounges, which comprise 29,000 square metres of the facility, are now fully operational after a five-week-long phase-in period. During the first month of operations following its inaugural flight on January 2, 2013, EK003 bound for Heathrow and operating from one of the four contact stands opened during Phase 1, Concourse A has handled 461,972 pieces of luggage carried on over 2,450 flights serving 589,234 passengers. 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 across Europe, North America, Australia and Asia. 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 in the world, the First Class and Business Class lounges have dedicated floors that offer direct and convenient 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, a Timeless Spa, entertainment zones, dedicated smoking areas as well as children's play areas. The First Class lounge passengers also have the added convenience of a dedicated duty free shopping area and a Le Clos wine cellar. Concourse A also offers an enhanced duty free shopping and dining experience featuring a wide variety of high-quality and 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' US$7.8 billion Strategic Plan 2020 which will increase airport capacity to 90 million by 2018. - Emirates News Agency, WAM