Dubai Airport

Dubai Airport Terminal 1
A major refurbishment of Dubai International’s Terminal 1 is due to begin in the first quarter of this year which when complete will offer passengers a vastly improved traveling experience.
 
The refurbishment includes more efficient and streamlined baggage screening in the departures hall, the replacement of all check-in desks, upgrade of baggage systems and the modernization of all public areas. The upgrade is expected to be completed by the end of next year.
 
Dubai Airport
The new baggage screening process will greatly improve passenger flow by eliminating a queuing point, reducing the time it takes passengers to move from the forecourt in Terminal 1 to the departure gates. The additional space created by streamlined baggage process will be used to transform the departures hall into a more spacious and welcoming environment and when combined with upgraded wayfinding signage, provide a more easily accessible building for the travelling public.
 
Dubai Airport Shopping
The refurbishment program also includes the reconfigured and expanded arrivals hall where all meeters and greeters will be accommodated within a fully air-conditioned space with new food and retail outlets. The arrivals immigration hall is also being refurbished to improve passenger flow and reduce processing times for arriving passengers. The adjoining arrivals forecourt will be reconfigured to improve traffic flow and create a safer pedestrian environment for all passengers leaving the Terminal 1 arrivals hall.
 
Once the refurbishment of Terminal 1 is complete, it will be linked via a new elevated train system to Concourse D, which is currently under construction. Concourse D will become the new home of the more than 100 airlines that fly to and from Dubai International when it opens in 2015.
 
“Dubai Airports is continually striving to enhance the service we offer all our passengers while expanding our facilities to meet the growing number of passengers passing through the airport. In addition to significantly increasing our capacity, the upgrade of Terminal 1 together with the construction of Concourse D will offer our passengers a more inviting and comfortable environment in line with the newer facilities across the terminals at Dubai International,” says Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports. 

 

The Caribbean was overflowing with celebrities, who may account for the recent spike in holiday bookings to Barbados and St Lucia – both up by at least 130 per cent compared to last year.

A favorite with the rich and famous, Barbados welcomed Simon Cowell, Coleen Rooney , Olly Murs and native Rihanna to its crystal clear waters, while St Lucia, already a favorite with Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, was the choice for Gwyneth Paltrow who posted pictures of her family enjoying a blissful beach break.

Meanwhile the draw of the ‘Spanish Caribbean’ attracted Alexa Chung, Pixie Geldof and Nick Grimshaw who partied in Puerto Rico together, while couples Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux , Emily Blunt and John Krasinski, and Jessica Alba and Cash Warren enjoyed romantic breaks to Mexico.

Claire Bentley, British Airways Holidays managing director, said: “The start of the year is always the busiest time for bookings – people are back at work and need something to look forward to. The wet weather over Christmas, combined with lots of enticing pictures of celebrities on holiday has clearly influenced the rise we’re seeing in beach holidays.”

The airline has also seen a rise in bookings to Hawaii, up by 100 per cent in the past year. Blessed with beautiful beaches and natural beauty, it’s no surprise that it’s popular with the jet-set, including Katy Perry and John Mayer, Steven Tyler, Jude Law and even the President of the United States, who all vacationed on the islands during the recent holidays.

Other top destinations for stars included Dubai, enjoyed by Rita Ora, Denise van Outen and Nell McAndrew, and Australia – popular with Leonardo DiCpario, Mariah Carey and fellow Aussies Kylie Minogue and Nicole Kidman returning for New Year celebrations.