Dubai Airport Tests New A380 Terminal

Dubai Airports tested its newly-built Concourse A on Sunday with the help of 1,000 volunteers in the first operational trial of the new facility at Terminal 3 of Dubai’s International airport.

The world’s first purpose-built A380 facility was tested for its readiness of staff, systems and procedures as members of the public including children, senior citizens and people with special needs, acted as passengers in the Dhs12 billion concourse.

Click here for a slideshow of the new concourse.

The volunteers helped simulate a typical airport operation as they tested the efficiency of arriving at, transiting through and departing from the new facility as well as testing flow of passenger traffic and signage within the concourse with some volunteers testing the airport train between Concourse A and Terminal 3.

Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said: “Prior to opening it is imperative that we are diligent in testing every aspect of the passenger experience across the new facility. The trial has yielded some very valuable insight which we will be analysing and acting on in the days and weeks ahead.

“I would like to thank all the volunteers who took time out on their weekend and brought their families along to lend support to the trial. They have become part of Dubai’s aviation history.”

Some of the 1,000 volunteers even tried the shops and restaurants as the retail and food and beverage outlets were tested for flaws and its customer service.

A statement from Dubai Airports said the trial findings would be finalised in the coming days and be used to ‘make adjustments to processes, systems or facilities, as required, which will again be tested at future operational trials.’

Concourse A, part of the Terminal 3 complex used exclusively by Dubai’s flagship carrier Emirates Airline, has been built to accommodate the increasing number of Airbus A380s and its passengers that operate out of the airport. The development will increase Dubai International’s annual passenger capacity from 60 million to 75 million when it opens next year.

“Concourse A is another critical element of the $7.8 billion Strategic Plan 2020 which includes the expansion of Dubai International to accommodate the tremendous growth we expect over the next decade,” said Griffiths.

“Passenger numbers are forecast to reach 66 million in 2013 and the opening of Concourse A is a timely and welcome addition to Dubai International, putting us firmly on track to reach our target of becoming the world’s best and largest airport in terms of service and international passenger numbers.”

READ MORE: GALLERY: Inside Dubai Airport’s New A380 Facility