Dubai’s Terminal Three: How to Open An Airport

Dubai’s latest engineering marvel: International Airport Terminal Three has had such a smooth opening it seems too good to be true. Memories of Heathrow - not! The tiny emirate  again demonstrates to the world: a little bit of organization really does make a huge difference.

Dubai’s latest terminal is not only its largest but at 16.1 million square feet International Airport Terminal 3, is the world’s largest airport terminal, beating Beijing’s 10.6 million square feet Terminal 3.

The pragmatic phased opening of T3 has so far gone very smoothly. Initially only local flights to neighbouring states within the Middle East moved to Terminal 3 on the 14 October. From 21 October the next phase of long-haul flights to Africa and the rest of the Middle East. As of now approximately 99 flights a day, 37% of Emirate’s services are operating out of the new terminal.

The next phase which includes extending the use of T3 to flights from India, East Asia and Australasia. This won’t happen until the terminal has been given a “clean operational chit”

As is the way with Dubai luxurious, first class and awesomely huge are terms which spring to mind when trying to describe terminal three. As Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum CEO of Emirates Group says:

Emirates is effectively throwing open the doors of its new home inviting cherished customers to enjoy the spacious luxury and state-of-the-art-facilities; relax in the soothing ambiance, and travel globally with family and friends in total comfort. With five dedicated A380 gates, our flagship fleet will soon be flying from its rightful home.

So expect a little more than just 250 check-in counters. There is an entire floor of luxurious themed lounges for premium passengers with a capacity of more than 2000. There are also dedicated lounges for un-accompanied children. Getting around is helped by 82 moving walkways, 97 escalators, eight skytrains, and 157 lifts.

There is not just a pool but an entire spa retreat as well, and of course a hotel. Did we mention the shopping? That’s an extra 8000 square feet of retail, more than doubling the existing duty free shopping opportunities.

Future developments will include a metro station as well, for now the predominately covered 2600 car parking places seem to be coping well. It just makes you wonder even more: how to Heathrow get it so wrong?