Dubai International Airport has opened its eagerly-awaited Terminal 3 development.

The terminal is being used exclusively by Dubai national airline Emirates - and when fully operational will be able to handle 43 million passengers every year.

Terminal 3's opening means the overall capacity of Dubai International has increased by 50% to over 65 million passengers every year.

Dubai is one of the world's fastest-growing airports, and it's new terminal is just the latest impressive transport infrastructure development in the Middle East.

Flights at Terminal 3 include local flights to Doha, Muscat, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jeddah, Damman and Riyadh, as well as intercontinental services to Europe, the USA, South America.

Further destinations in Africa, the Indian sub-continent and Australia will be added later.

Dubai Terminal 3 Check In

The check in facilities at Dubai Terminal 3 feature the option of online check in, with passengers checking using self-service kiosks.

Passengers can connect to Terminal 3 using either car parks or a brand new metro station that is connected to the other terminals at the airport.

There is a hotel located centrally within the airport, which features a wide range of dining options as well as a health club including a gym, jacuzzi and swimming pool.

According to Gulf News, the airport has been designed to maximise the amount of natural light - helping to create feelings of space and modernity.

Dubai Airport Duty Free

In the terminal itself, there is a huge duty free area covering 8,000 square metres including departures, arrivals and landside shops.

The terminal concourse also features 14 restaurants, premium airport lounges, shops, and a spa.

There are 26 gates at the terminal, five of which are able to handle the giant Airbus A380 airliner which Emirates is currently bringing into service.

Source - Airport International's Middle East Correspondent

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