Dubai Airport’s Terminal 1 To Receive Upgrade

Work on a major refurbishment of Dubai International’s Terminal 1 is to start in the first quarter.

The refurbishment includes more efficient and streamlined baggage screening in the departures hall, the replacement of all check-in desks, upgrade of baggage systems and the modernisation of all public areas.

The upgrade is expected to be completed by the end of next year.

The new baggage screening process aims to improve passenger flow by eliminating a queuing point, reducing the time it takes passengers to move from the forecourt in Terminal 1 to the departure gates.

The additional space created by streamlined baggage process will be used to transform the departures hall into a more spacious environment and when combined with upgraded signage, improve accessibility for travellers.

The refurbishment programme also includes the reconfigured and expanded arrivals hall where all meeters and greeters will be accommodated within a fully air-conditioned space with new food and retail outlets.

The arrivals immigration hall is also being refurbished to improve passenger flow and reduce processing times for arriving passengers. The adjoining arrivals forecourt will be reconfigured to improve traffic flow and create a safer pedestrian environment for all passengers leaving the Terminal 1 arrivals hall.

Once the refurbishment of Terminal 1 is complete, it will be linked via a new elevated train system to Concourse D, which is currently under construction.

Concourse D will become the new home of the more than 100 airlines that fly to and from Dubai International when it opens in 2015.

Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said: “In addition to significantly increasing our capacity, the upgrade of Terminal 1 together with the construction of Concourse D will offer our passengers a more inviting and comfortable environment in line with the newer facilities across the terminals at Dubai International.”

Concourse A, exclusively for Emirates’ A380s, opened its doors this month.