Dubai International on Wednesday inaugurated the Dh3.3 billion new Concourse D to increase its passenger handling capacity from 75 million per annum to 90 million besides enhancing services to more than 70 international airlines.

The new facility is linked to the newly renovated Terminal 1 by a dedicated airport train that can transport 300 passengers per trip.

Designed around a central atrium Concourse D offers short walks to open gates which will allow travellers to board directly from the waiting area giving them more freedom and time to enjoy the full array of exciting food and beverage outlets. "We continue to invest in the development of top-flight infrastructure to augment service levels for our international airlines and their customers while providing the capacity needed to meet growing demand" said Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum Chairman of Dubai Airports; President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority; Chairman and CEO of Emirates Group.

The first flight to be welcomed at the facility was Wednesday's British Airways' flight 105. This historic first operation followed months of intensive testing and a successful operational trial involving 2000 members of the public earlier this month.

"Concourse D has been designed with the customer at its heart. Shorter walking distances more comfortable seating areas more choice in lounges and a world-class retail and F&B offering are sure to impress and delight our passengers and our airline partners" said Shaikh Ahmed.

Two airlines - British Airways Royal Jordanian - operated from Concourse D on day one with the remainder phasing in operations over the next several weeks.

"Aside from its many customer-centric features Concourse D continues our legacy of providing timely capacity" said Paul Griffiths CEO of Dubai Airports.

"Today we also announce our 2016 forecast which projects 85 million passengers who will visit Dubai International this year. With the addition of Concourse D Dubai International is getting both bigger and better" he added.

Saj Ahmad chief analyst at StrategicAerospace said the opening of the new concourse at Dubai International will be instrumental not just for the continued growth at the airport but with a planned target to handle approximately 85 million passengers this year this additional capacity couldn't have arrived at a better time.

"The investment being made here indicates that despite the development of Dubai Word Central the current airport has to maintain its global competitive advantage through expansion and this will be key to ensuring it stays on top of the global traffic charts" Ahmad told Khaleej Times.

Looking forward he said Dubai International looks well placed to handle around 100 million passengers with the additional capacity that Concourse D delivers however there are two key major hurdles that the airport has to address.

First the projected 100 million passenger target looks set to be reached before the planned 2020 target date and the airport has to ready itself to push beyond 100 million passengers before then. Secondly and perhaps more crucially the development at Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South has to be sped up.

He also pointed out that the UAE civil aviation authority should increase airspace for commercial traffic to truly unlock its potential."This would greatly alleviate congestion and reduce delays on the ground and in the air significantly" Ahmad concluded.

Highlights of the new concourse

> Renowned brands will be introduced to Dubai and the region for the first time including a casual dining concept The Kitchen which will offer passengers creations from the renowned celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck.
> Dubai Airports will introduce the first Pret a Manger in a Middle Eastern airport. Other firsts for DXB include Butlers Chocolate Caf and Camden Food Company which will bring healthy yet tasty dining options using organic and natural products.
> For those who enjoy a little theatre with their food YO! Sushi will be a popular addition to the airport while the CNN News Caf will be a favourite for news junkies who want to stay connected to world affairs over coffee.
> Other new outlets include Lebanese favourite Sharwarmanji and
Taqado Mexican Kitchen both popular local examples of street food in addition to a second Masale by Taste of India outlet but on a larger scale.
> The new concourse will offer plenty of comfortable seating spaces and well being concepts such as Be Relax and the ever popular 'SnoozeCubes'. It will also feature nine lounges spread over 6926 square metres.

175 vendor installations at Duty Free

The new concourse will also increase the capacity of Dubai Duty Free as the new facility has a space for 175 vendor installations spreading over an area of 7000 square metres.

It will bring the world's number 1 airport retailer's total retail space to 33000 square metres.

As per details fashion offer covers a total of 1000 square metres divided into two zones while perfumes and cosmetics cover a total area of 1500 square metres. Liquor and food occupies nearly 1000 squares metres.

On the apron Concourse D provides 21 contact stands of which four will be able to accommodate Airbus A380 or Boeing 747 aircraft and 11 remote stands with a design capacity for 18 million passengers.