Dubai International Airport said work at the Concourse D facility being developed at an estimated cost of Dh1.9 billion ($517 million) is nearing completion.

Once ready, it will increase the airport’s capacity to 90 million passengers.

With the countdown to the opening of Concourse D already started, the operator Dubai Airports has invited members of the public to volunteer as ‘passengers’ and help test the operational readiness of the new facility this month (February 6).

The advanced trial follows a series of rigorous tests that were conducted over the past few months to test different components to ensure a smooth start-up and optimal service levels for passengers and more than 70 airlines that will use the facility.

The emphasis in Concourse D is to create a more efficient and intuitive customer experience with short walks to connect passengers with their aircraft. The facility will feature open gates, allowing travellers to board directly from the waiting area. It will also offer plenty of comfortable seating spaces as well as the ever-popular SnoozeCubes, which provide a convenient way to rest between flights. Concourse D will feature a total of nine lounges spread over 6,926 sq m and 21 contact stands.