With the announcement of the phased opening of Terminal Three [T3] from 14th October, the spotlight has now turned firmly on Emirates’ much-anticipated move to its dedicated new home in Dubai. EK843 Dubai-Doha, an Airbus A330-200, will be the first Emirates flight to be flagged off from the new terminal.

In a carefully-orchestrated move, the first phase of Emirates’ operations from T3 will launch all flights to the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council [Bahrain, Oman, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE]) and the Americas - 40 flights a day, around 15 per cent of the airline’s total services. Phase Two will include flights to the rest of the Middle East and Africa as well, increasing operations to 99 flights every day, 37 per cent of all flights.

Flights to Europe will take-off in the next phase, escalating operations to 168 daily flights or 60 per cent of all Emirates’ services. The fourth and final phase will include flights to the Indian Subcontinent, East Asia and Australasia and bring the total to 269 flights every day.

Each phase will commence after receiving a “clean operational chit” from the previous one to ensure customers enjoy a smooth, seamless Emirates experience. Trials and testing at T3 continue at a feverish pace to iron out operational creases and remove any system bugs before the soft opening. The next major passenger trial is scheduled for 27th September.

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive Emirates Airline & Group said: “October 14th marks another red-letter day on the Emirates calendar. Emirates is effectively throwing open the doors of its new home, inviting cherished customers to enjoy the spacious luxury and state-of-the-art facilities; relax in the soothing ambience; and travel globally with family and friends in total comfort. With five dedicated A380 gates, our flagship fleet will soon be flying from its rightful home.”

Emirates’ dedicated terminal is planned as a lifestyle destination in its own right and Sheikh Ahmed added. “Emirates is poised to spread its wings even further afield globally, and our dedicated terminal will be the perfect launch pad for escalating our growth. Our passengers consider Emirates synonymous with world-class service excellence, and with the new terminal we will extend and reinforce that association both on the ground and in the air.”

With a total built-up area of 515,000 m2, the gargantuan terminal has more than 250 check-in counters at Departures including 126 for Economy Class passengers; 32 for First and Business; 60 Self Service Kiosks both with and without baggage; 10 dedicated counters for Skywards premium members; and best of all, 18 counters for outsized baggage located right in the car park.

Emirates has designed an entire floor of luxurious, themed lounges in the 10-storied concourse for its premium passengers, with a capacity for more than 2,000, serving the finest international cuisine and offering full-fledged spa facilities. Lounges for unaccompanied minors and special needs passengers are specially-designed to take the stress off travel.

Passengers at T3 will be spoilt for choice when it comes to food and beverages - from coffee shops and fast food to seafood and tapas - this airport has it all. And then there’s the duty free and retail shopping meandering a course of 15,500 m2, running the gamut of top brands worldwide, and designed to satisfy the palate of the most fastidious of shoppers, from fashionistas and gizmo-lovers to bookworms.

Emirates Group staff have been fully-trained in the new advanced systems and facilities at T3. Commenting on Emirates’ readiness Sheikh Ahmed said: “Our staff are both eager and ready to welcome passengers to our brand new home. With any new facility, and especially one as mammoth as the new terminal, some teething problems can occur, but we do have robust back-up plans in place. The continuing trials and the phased opening will go a long way in minimising unforeseen disruptions.”

From this month, Emirates and its travel trade network will proactively inform passengers of the change in the Terminal, which will also be reflected in the reservations and ticketing systems and channels.