Emirates airline achieved another first with the inaugural departure of an A380 flight from the new and world’s only dedicated and purpose-built A380 concourse at the Dubai International Airport yesterday.
Part of the airport’s Terminal 3 complex, Concourse A will become the “home of the Emirates A380”, from where passengers will connect to more than 20 Emirates A380 destinations around the world, including A380 flights to Europe on Australian airline Qantas in terms of the global partnership announced recently, which is pending the approval from Australia.
The departure of flight EK003 at 2:30pm to London Heathrow yesterday marked the start of flights from four gates which opened at Concourse A. This also forms part of on-going operational trials and testing to ensure a smooth and seamless passenger experience before it officially opens and becomes fully operational during the first quarter this year.
More than 500 passengers across first, business and economy class became the first travellers to experience boarding through the unique double decker air contact bridges connected to the aircraft, one of the key features of the facility.
“This is a historic and momentous occasion, marking another world first from Emirates. The new A380 hub is another example of Emirates being a leader in providing innovative products and services that give customers an unsurpassed travel experience,” said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum, president of the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation, chairman and chief executive, Emirates Airline and Group and chairman of
Dubai Airports.
“We are confident that our customers will find the new concourse to be a remarkable world-class facility befitting of our flagship Emirates A380 aircraft. I would also like to congratulate Dubai Airports on achieving this major milestone in the development of Concourse A.”
With 528,000 m2 spread across 11 floors and the capacity to handle 15mn passengers a year, the concourse offers Emirates customers a seamless and unrivalled experience in terms of comfort, convenience and choice of facilities. From direct lounge boarding for first and business class customers to an expansive duty free shopping area, food courts, cafes and fine dining options, a spa and the largest first and business class lounges in the world.
The concourse also offers a dedicated hotel floor with both a four and five star offering. Passengers are transported between Terminal 3 and Concourse A by underground trains and shuttle busses from where they can depart through 20 gates when the facility becomes fully operational.