Dubai International Airport (DXB) has announced plans to upgrade its facilities and technology at its main hub, despite the recent joint order of 125 new Boeing wide-body Dreamliners by carriers Emirates and flydubai. The initial phase of upgrades will focus on Terminal 2 and Concourses C and E at Terminal 3. According to Dubai Airports’ CEO, Paul Griffiths, “In the longer term, we aim to eliminate check-ins altogether, envisioning a scenario where travelers drop their bags, enjoy dining or shopping at the airport, and board their plane without the hassles they dislike.” Processing an average of 7.6 million travelers per month, Dubai Airports has revised its full-year 2023 forecasts to 86.8 million from 85 million.
DXB is also in the process of integrating check-in and immigration processes for passengers, with plans to eliminate check-ins altogether in the longer term. According to Griffiths, the airport is close to hitting a 100 million capacity milestone and new orders from Emirates and flydubai make it imperative to boost its existing capacities at the mega hub. DXB had earmarked a budget of Dh6 to Dh10 billion for the makeover, to be completed over the next 5-7 years. However, Griffiths confirmed that the airport may have to go with a whole new forecast given the new orders. Despite the rapidly growing demand, the airport’s decision to expand its operations to its second hub in Dubai World Central remains a ‘long-term’ goal. The Terminal 2 upgrade will be near completion shortly, with Terminal 3 also undergoing significant upgrades.
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