Tag Archives: Dubai Airport

Dubai’s Emirates airline has asked all passengers travelling during the New Year to arrive at the airport well in advance. The airline has joined hands with several authorities in the emirate to make travelling during New Year a hassle-free experience. Advisory is for both Terminal 3 and Terminal 1. The carrier recommended that passengers travelling during this period check-in online prior to arriving at the airport and make use of the quick baggage drop counters at the terminal. Passengers should arrive at the airport at least 3-4 hours prior to their flight. The peak holiday travel period will run from December 19 to January 6, with over 5 million passengers passing through Dubai International Airport.

Dubai has introduced a tax on travellers to help finance expansion. The AED35 ($9.50) fee will apply to all passengers, including those transiting in Dubai, on all flights from June 30, according to a statement carried by WAM state news agency. It is the first time Dubai has announced a passenger tax, which is imposed in many airports worldwide. More than 78 million passengers passed through Dubai International in 2015, keeping its place as the world’s busiest for international passengers since overtaking London Heathrow in 2014. Last month, Dubai Airports increased the capacity of its main airport to 90 million passengers with the opening of concourse D, at a cost of $1.2 billion. Dubai has a smaller second airport, Al-Maktoum International, which opened in 2013 and will receive 120 million passengers a year once completed. The receipts of the new tax will be channeled into funding the expansion of Dubai airports, the statement said. Situated on transcontinental air routes, Dubai is one of several Gulf-based airports to experience prodigious growth in recent years. Around 100 airlines fly to more than 240 destinations from the international hub, which is also home to carrier Emirates.