Dubai Airports request volunteers to test new concourse

A rendering of Concourse D at Dubai International Airport. Courtesy Dubai Airports

DUBAI // Volunteers are being invited to take part in a readiness test for the new Dh1.9 billion Concourse D before its official opening at Dubai International Airport.

Dubai Airports is appealing for UAE residents to act as passengers on February 6 and test the operational readiness of the new facility.

The test will follow a series of trials that have been conducted over the past few months to ensure that the transition is as smooth as possible.

“As the final element of the US$7.8 billion (Dh28.65bn) Strategic Plan 2020 that we had announced in 2011, Concourse D is a crucial and timely addition to Dubai International, as it will increase the airport’s capacity to 90 million passengers,” said Paul Griffiths, chief executive of Dubai Airports.

“Residents of Dubai and the UAE have an opportunity to help us achieve this goal while being part of Dubai’s aviation history.

“If our past experiences with operational trials are anything to go by, we expect an overwhelming response from the members of the public.”

More than 70 airlines will use the new concourse. And as part of the trial, about 2,500 volunteers of all ages will test the facility.

Airport staff, police, immigration and customs officials, as well as food outlets and restaurants will be involved in the trials.

Concourse D features nine lounges, 21 contact stands, of which four will be able to accommodate Airbus A380 or Boeing 747 aircraft, and 11 remote stands.

Those interested in volunteering can register online at services.dubaiairports.ae/TVRSInternet.

Concourse D was slated to open by December last year but no new opening date has been announced.