Initial operations at Dubai International Airport's new Terminal 3 are set to begin on 14 October, the beginning of a phased transition to full services.
The terminal, part of a $4.5 billion expansion, is dedicated to Dubai-based long-haul carrier Emirates.
It opening will be "soft" and implemented in four phases, says operator Dubai Airports chief Paul Griffiths: "We want to make absolutely sure that all the systems and processes at Terminal 3 are working smoothly and that customers experience nothing short of world-class facilities and service when they use the new terminal.
"It's precisely for this reason that we have decided to make Terminal 3 fully operational in phases."
Terminal 3 comprises a main building and a 924m-long airside facility with 26 contact gates, including five for Airbus A380 operations - giving Dubai a total of seven gates for A380 boarding.
A second airside building, due to open next year, will be dedicated to A380 handling and give the airport a total of 25 A380 gates.
The main terminal will have 220 check-in counters and 14 baggage carousels.
Once the terminal and its two airside facilities are open, Dubai's handling capacity will treble to 75 million passengers. Dubai Airports chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum says the terminal will "reaffirm the city's image as an emerging global aviation hub".
- Emirates A380 gallery on AirSpace
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
