Dubai: A total of $1.2 billion (Dh4.3 billion) has been spent on the latest round of upgrade and refurbishment work at Dubai International, operator and manager Dubai Airports said in a statement on Wednesday.
Almost half of the investment — $517 million — has been on the construction of Concourse D, which when it opens later this year will accommodate nearly 100 airlines that are currently using Concourse C in Terminal 1, according to the statement.
Concourse D will feature 21 contact stands, including four that can be used to access the Airbus A380, the world’s largest passenger jet, or the Boeing 747, and a new train station connecting the concourse.
An additional $490 million is being spent on refurbishing and modernising Terminal 1. Dubai Airports said the upgrades include improving drop-off and pickup points in front of the terminal, the refurbishment of the landside arrivals area that, including new food & beverage and retail outlets, and modernising the existing check-in and departure hall.
Paul Griffiths, Dubai Airports chief executive, said that the manager and operator was “investing heavily” in new infrastructure to “significantly” enhance the product at the airport, which is the world’s busiest for international passenger traffic.
A total of $163 million has been spent on Terminal 2, which accommodates flydubai and other airlines, to expand the transfer area, add 40 immigration counters and also increase the check-in area.
The $1.2 billion is part of an announced $7.8 billion investment to lift annual capacity at the airport to 90 million passengers.
