World’s largest A380 fleet to call new facility home

DUBAI, U.A.E., 2^nd January 2013 Emirates achieved another first with the inaugural departure today of an A380 flight from the new and world’s only dedicated and purpose-built A380 concourse at Dubai International Airport.

Part of the airport’s Terminal 3 complex, Concourse A will become the “home of the Emirates A380“, from where passengers will connect to more than 20 Emirates A380 destinations around the world, including A380 flights to Europe on Australian airline, Qantas, in terms of the global partnership announced recently which is pending the approval of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

EK003 before departure at Concourse A

The departure of flight EK003 at 14h30 to London Heathrow marked the start of flights from four gates which opened at Concourse A. This also forms part of on-going operational trials and testing to ensure a smooth and seamless passenger experience before it officially opens and becomes fully operational during the first quarter this year.

More than 500 passengers across First Class, Business Class and Economy Class became the first travellers to experience boarding through the unique double decker air contact bridges connected to the aircraft, one of the key features of the facility.