Dubai: The Emirates Group on Sunday launched its new Marhaba lounge at Terminal 3 of the Dubai International Airport in a bid to service a growing number of passengers travelling through Dubai.
Operated by Dnata, the lounge has a capacity of 140 customers and is open to passengers of all airlines. While the terminal is exclusively for Emirates airlines flights, passengers from other airlines can also use the lounge as the other concourses are linked, officials said.
Esmail Ali Al Banna, executive vice-president of Dnata, said the company has seen a growing demand for services not only in the hospitality sector but also in operations. He said regional airports have approached the company to operate their airports.
Jon Conway, divisional senior vice-president of airport operations at Dnata, said there is another lounge in the pipeline at Terminal 2, but did not give a specific date as the location is still under construction and operational decisions are a work in progress.
Apart from lounge use, which offers food, beverage, a business centre, the service includes assistance with check-in, immigration, security and escorts with buggy services through the airport. The minimum fee to use Marhaba facilities is Dh150, according to officials.
The company also offers services for long-stay transit passengers, including visas for the duration and hotel arrangements.
Launched in 1991, the Marhaba service currently has a staff of 260, which started from 29. Last year, over 20,000 customers used the services.
