Dubai opens Airbus A380 concourse

Published: 12:55:38 PM, Wed 02 January 2013 UTC

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Dubai Airports says it has opened the world's first concourse entirely dedicated to the Airbus A380, with an Emirates airlines flight making the maiden voyage to London's Heathrow Airport.

Four of 20 gates at Concourse A were in operation Wednesday at Dubai International's Terminal 3.

Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths said Concourse A would open in stages to "ensure smooth operations."

Dubai Airports served 57 million passengers in 2012, making it the busiest airport in the Mideast and the fourth busiest in the world. When Concourse A is fully operational, it is expected to increase the airport's capacity from 60 million to 75 million.

Dubai International is the city's main airport. It is home to Emirates, the Mideast's biggest airline, as well as budget carrier FlyDubai.

Tags: ap, united arab emirates, gates, emirates, dubai international, dubai airports, paul griffiths, wednesday, world, passengers, dubai, business, london, capacity, mideast, terminal, concourse, heathrow airport, stages, maiden voyage, airbus a380, world's busiest airports by passenger traffic, busiest airport, dubai international airport, london heathrow airport, airbus a380 concourse, dubai airports ceo, emirates airlines flight, budget carrier flydubai, smooth operations, world's busiest airports by international passenger traffic