"Dubai airport gets a new, improved look"

Sunday, June 15, 2003

Dubai airport gets a new, improved look
U.A.E. - The Emirates


Arab-inspired interior decor at the Sheikh Rashid Terminal, re-designed
customer services counters, an express check-in counter, a 24-hour spacious
food court, an Immigration office offering the e-gate card, an Ahlan lounge,
and Central Reservation Services are among the number of features and
facilities being offered to passengers travelling through the Dubai
International Airport.

The Dubai Civil Aviation yesterday organised a media tour of the airport's
new facilities and features of the Sheikh Rashid Terminal. Huraiz Al Mur bin
Huraiz, Manager, Press Relations and Communications, Marketing and Corporate
Communications Division at DCA, discussed in detail the facilities and
services being offered to all customers.

Sina Al Kazim, Projects Co-ordinator at the DCA, told reporters that work on
the Dh50 million interior design project was undertaken by KCA, a
Dubai-based company. It was completed in December 2002 after a period of two
and a half years.

The concept of the interior decor is based on the fact that Dubai is as
proud of its heritage as its futuristic visions. Some of the key elements of
the interior decor are the Arab facade showing sky (sunrise and sunset);
video walls showing current festivities and advertisements; flying saucers
or giant six-metre diameter decorative light features; a sand dune carpet
reflecting the beauty of the desert, and contemporary chandeliers to depict
the yucca plant prevalent in the desert.

Passengers carrying only hand luggage can visit the express check-in counter
for a quick pass-through into the departures. Located on the upper level of
the Departures building, the 24-hour food court has a number of restaurants,
and also offers passengers and visitors a view of the aircraft arriving,
departing and parking at the Sheikh Rashid Terminal.

A Dubai Duty Free shop and the immigration office offering the e-gate card
is also available within this area. An e-gate card costs Dh150 each and is
valid for a year. The Ahlan lounge was opened in March 2003 at the Arrivals
Hall before immigration. To date, tour operators use the facilities being
offered, which include specialised Arrivals facility such as express
Immigration clearance for groups of 1-25. Arriving passengers can relax
here, and refreshments are provided and all formalities are taken care off
by an appointed tour operator at a cost of Dh25 per person per day.

The Central Reservation Services, which is located in the Arrivals Hall next
to the Customs check, provides a one-stop shop for hotel reservations, city
tours and packages in Dubai. Customers can choose from 70-80 hotels and
furnished apartments for hotel bookings, and also avail of car rental
services through the Central Reservation Services office. Meanwhile,
arriving passengers are still being screened for any SARS-related symptoms
with thermal scanners which had earlier been installed at the airport as one
of its precautionary measures.


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