Dubai Airport’s April traffic up 6.5 per cent

Passenger traffic grew by 6.5 per cent at the Dubai International Airport in April this year, as compared to the same period last year as the facility became the only one among top 10 airports to register positive growth for the last two consecutive quarters.The traffic registered a rise in throughput by 6.5 per cent in April. The airport recorded a growth of 7.1 per cent in the last quarter of 2008, and just over two per cent in the first quarter this year.According to Airports Council International (ACI) figures, the facility was only one among the top 10 airports in terms of international passengers to register positive growth for the last two consecutive quarters.Dubai Airport CEO, Paul Griffiths said: "The results for April are ahead of our expectations. And considering the travel season is yet to peak, we are very positive second quarter will show better results".Griffiths said five new international carriers have been added to the Airport in the first five months this year."There are indications we will continue to welcome new airlines at more or less same rate over coming months and this will add to our growth, much of which is a result of rebound in traffic from Western Europe, the US and Russia," he said.He said launch of Dubai’s own budget airline Flydubai in June will play an important role in pushing airport’s growth.The Airport caters to over 125 airlines flying to over 210 destinations. In March, it was ranked fourth worldwide in terms of passenger traffic. For more information:

Website: http://www.dubaiairport.com

Travellers Vote Dubai International As Middle East’s Best Airport

Dubai International has been voted as the Middle East’s best airport by readers of Business Traveller, the internationally acclaimed travel magazine, in a survey for 2009. The readers also voted Dubai International as the Best Airport in the Middle East for Duty Free Shopping.

The award in the best airport category is given based on excellence in delivery of customer service, particularly in areas such as baggage delivery, check-in, and frontline services. Airport facilities and duty-free shopping are some of the major factors that play a role in the voting for the awards. Survey forms are included in Business Traveller magazine and sent to all regional subscribers, a large percentage of which turns them in with their choice.

In the world’s best airport category, Dubai International finished second only to Singapore’s Changi Airport, the winner this year.

This is the fourth consecutive year that Dubai International has won the region’s best airport award. Dubai International has won over 14 regional and international awards between 2008 and 2009 – nearly triple the number of awards in the preceding year, and the highest in a year to date.

"At Dubai Airports, we aspire to be the world’s best airport in every sense, but most of all in the quality of our customer service. While all awards and recognitions evoke a sense of pride at Dubai Airports, the Business Traveller Award is truly special because it is the travellers – our customers, who choose the winner. Winning this award tells us that our efforts at continually enhancing our customer service are making a difference, and that we are headed in the right direction," said, Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports.

The annual awards ceremony was held at the Godolphin Ballroom, Emirates Towers on May 4, on the eve of the Arabian Travel Market 2009. Griffiths received the award on behalf of Dubai Airports from the guest of honour Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, Head of easyGroup – best known for creating the low cost airline easyJet in 1995.

Dubai Airports Launches New Facility For Executive Flights Centre

Dubai Airports has officially launched the all-new Executive Flights Centre (EFC) – the premier VIP terminal and executive travel facility at Dubai International.

The announcement was made on November 16, the opening day of Middle East Business Aviation conference and exhibition (MEBA 2008) at a press conference. The event also witnessed the unveiling of EFC’s new brand identity, which follows the re-branding of Dubai Airports and its associated entities late last year.

Located close to Dubai International’s Terminal 2, the new VIP terminal for EFC includes a 5,500 square-metre two-storey main building, a 3,700 square metre hangar, a 3,700 square metre ramp area for aircraft parking, and a special VIP car park for long term parking. The new facility makes EFC the largest dedicated business aviation terminal of its kind in the Middle East.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, and Chairman of Dubai Airports, said: “This development is part of our strategy to cope with the rapid growth of the business aviation sector in Dubai and in line with the greater objective of making Dubai the most preferred destination for international business and tourism.”

Hailing the Middle East’s business aviation sector as the fastest growing in the world, Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said Dubai has immense potential to continue leading the regional industry and sustain the existing growth-rate.

He added: “The larger, state-of-the-art EFC facility translates into additional capacity and the latest in technology to enable us to serve our customers better.”

Commenting on the new EFC terminal, Jamal Bin Krishan, Head of Executive Services at Dubai Airports, said the demand for EFC services has been increasing at a rapid rate, especially over the recent years. “In 1988, the year that EFC was opened, 208 flight movements were recorded. Last year, the total number of flight movements at the EFC terminal reached 9,432, while this year the figure already stands at 7,050 for the first three quarters of 2008,” he said.

EFC is very popular among celebrities – from showbiz figures to sport stars, businessmen, as well as large corporate entities, for the VIP treatment, prompt service and privacy the terminal offers.

EFC terminal has its own dedicated immigration and customs sections – it is the only terminal in the Middle East to boast e-Gates for quick immigration clearance; its very own Dubai Duty Free outlet, a fully equipped business/conference centre, eight luxury private lounges, and a limousine service between aircraft and the terminal. Customers arriving into Dubai at EFC can also book for a wide range of exotic cars.

The terminal’s ramp area can accommodate up to 22 small-sized private jets such as the Lear Jet or Hawker; or between eight to 12 medium sized jets such as the Challenger or Falcon. It can accommodate up to three large sized jets like the Boeing Business Jet (BBJ), the 727 or the Airbus 319.

Dubai International’s Terminal 2 Undergoes Major Refurbishment

Terminal 2 at Dubai International has undergone a major refurbishment, extending check-in and boarding facilities, revitalising the interior and exterior décor, plus offering more dining choices, to give customers an enhanced travelling experience.

Currently serving more than 25 scheduled airlines, the extended facility will increase capacity from three to some five million passengers a year.

Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, commented: “Terminal 2 has seen tremendous growth over the past decade of its operation, due to its popularity as a convenient and flexible gateway for customers travelling into and out of Dubai.

“This make-over has given a fantastic boost to the facility, a new lease of life and a freshness that’s sure to give us a thumbs-up in terms of customer satisfaction and comfort.”

The terminal building now boasts a bold red façade, with clearly defined entrances for Arrivals and Departures and a wide drop-off area running between the terminal and the extensive covered car parking beyond.

Queuing time has speeded up for departing passengers with the extension of the Check-in area where counters have increased from 22 to 36.

The Boarding section has been transformed into a spacious and comfortable seating area, lit by natural light, with a Marhaba Lounge and children’s play area opening shortly. The new open boarding gates allow several flights to board simultaneously, considerably improving both passenger and aircraft movement.

Passengers can choose from a range of dining options, including the Hatam Iranian Restaurant, McDonald’s, Costa Coffee, Baskin Robbins Ice-cream and Tropicana Juice bar. The Dubai Duty Free shopping area covers 1,400 square metres in Departures and 50 square metres in Arrivals and carries a wide range of international brands.

The 3, 437 square metre extension includes a larger Arrivals hall where the finishing touches are being put to new counters for car rental and currency exchange outlets.

For transiting passengers, a shuttle service runs between the terminals, with a journey time of 20 minutes approximately to Terminal 1 and 30 minutes to Terminal 3.

“Terminal 2’s location at the north side of the airfield at Dubai International helps to give the impression of an ‘airport within an airport’, with its main road access, generous covered car parking and user-friendly terminal,” added Mr Griffiths. “I am confident that the revitalised décor and comfortable surroundings, along with the extended facilities will encourage more airlines to use Terminal 2.”