DXB Terminal 1 & Concourse D reopens 15 months after forced closure due to pandemic

DUBAI: Dubai International Airport’s (DXB) Terminal 1 and Concourse D reopened on 24 June 2021, 15 months after they were partially closed on 25 March 2020 to control the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Its operator, Dubai Airports, welcoming the reopening of Terminal 1 is an important step in preparing to accommodate the anticipated growth in travel demand in the coming months.

The reopening of Terminal 1 will enable the gradual return of 40 plus international carriers that are currently operating at Terminals 2 and 3 back to their home terminal at DXB.

H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Airports, said Dubai’s aviation sector has been leading the global campaign to restore safe travel between continents.

“This move signals our confidence that the outlook for the rest of the year and beyond is one of optimism, as well as being a clear indication of Dubai’s intent to lead the aviation industry to enable social and economic world recovery. This reopening is a collaborative effort of the many stakeholders involved in the operation of the world’s largest international airport and we are delighted to be able to make this important step towards the restoration of full airport operations,” said Sheikh Ahmed.

Dubai Airports has advised passengers to confirm their terminal of departure and arrival with their airline before coming to the airport as the transition will be managed in several stages, with the plan for the relocation to be completed by the end of June.

Opened in February 2016, the $1.2 billion Concourse D is linked to Terminal 1 by an airport train, and the combination of these two facilities provide world-class service levels for an annual capacity of 18 million passengers.

Meanwhile, the Director General of Dubai Customs, Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, assured the readiness of Dubai Customs in welcoming the increasing number of passengers and cargo at DXB Terminal 1, cementing Dubai’s position as the preferred hub for trade and tourism.

Dr. Abdullah Busnad, Executive Director of Customs Inspection Division at Dubai Customs accompanied the Customs Director General in his visit to Terminal 1 on 24 June 2021. They were received by Ibrahim Kamali, Director of Passenger Operations Department, and Khalid Ahmed, Senior Manager, Passenger Operations Department, Terminal 1.

Smart services, procedures and technologies will be highly utilized at Dubai’s airports under the new normal.