Dubai Airports to increase number of A380 contact stands at Concourse C DXB

The project will increase the number of Code F gates (A380 gates) at Concourse C from 3 to 13, bringing the total number of A380 gates at DXB to 47, more than any other airport in the world. Concourse C became a part of the Terminal 3 complex used exclusively by Dubai’s flagship carrier Emirates and its partner Qantas, following the opening of the US$ 1.2 billion Concourse D in February earlier this year.

The upgrade project which commenced in the third quarter this year and is expected to be completed by the end of 2018, is part of Dubai’s Airports’ DXB Plus programme under which the operator aims to increase DXB’s capacity to 118 million passengers per year by 2023 without building any additional major infrastructure. DXB Plus will boost throughput and enhance service through the design and implementation of customer-centric processes and the application of smart technology.

Concourse C will also undergo interior refurbishment as part of the upgrade project, including the re-design and enhancement of gate hold rooms, increase of dedicated airline lounge space, and ambiance enhancements to improve the overall customer experience.

Bryan Thompson, senior vice president of development at Dubai Airports said, “Considering the traffic growth at Dubai International and the central role the airport will continue to play for the aviation sector as well as Dubai’s economy over the next 10 years, it is vital that we provide additional capacity while enhancing our customer service. We believe this first project under DXB Plus will deliver on both fronts.”

Analyst Saj Ahmad commented: “As Emirates' A380 fleet continues to grow, the spin-off benefit of more contact stands will not only enable them to induct more A380s at a steady rate to maximise capacity growth, it allows Emirates to continue its aggressive organic growth strategy.

“With a move to Dubai World Central several years away, the boost to capacity at Dubai International to 118m passengers, the additional contact stands will enable Emirates to hone in on the extra demand coming into and travelling through the airport - all at a time when it tops the international traffic rankings. 

“Emirates can ill afford infrastructure delays to stifle it's growth and these new stands will complement it's current expansion regime.”