VIP Terminal opens at Dubai South

Dubai South will soon be the go to place for VIP travellers in the country, as the long-awaited VIP Terminal officially opened its doors on Monday.
The terminal was inaugurated by Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and chairman and chief executive of Emirates airline and Group; Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Advisor to the UAE President; and Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan.
The largest purpose built facility of its kind in the world, the terminal is poised to be a game changer in the business aviation sector, offering VIP customers a seamless travel experience, coupled with time and cost efficiencies within a thriving aviation ecosystem.
Speaking on the occasion, Shaikh Ahmed said: "The launch of the VIP Terminal at Dubai South's Aviation District is yet another significant step towards realising Dubai's vision of becoming the aviation capital of the world. With the opening of the world's largest facility for private aviation, Dubai South has raised the bar on luxury travel, redefining the passenger experience."
"A significant milestone for Dubai South and for aviation industry as a whole, the opening of the VIP Terminal will cement our position in the world of private aviation, bringing us a step closer to becoming the region's premier aerospace hub. The world-class facility is complimented by first-class services and experiences, all adding to an exemplary travel experience," he said. The 5,600sqm VIP Terminal, minutes away from the Al Maktoum International, the largest airport in the making, is Dubai's new gateway for VIP travelers, offering hitherto unseen superlative services and connectivity. With incomparable experiential retail as a core attraction, the VIP Terminal boasts stylised luxurious interiors, designed to maximise privacy and serenity, while engaging the passengers with specially curated, bespoke high-end shopping products.
Inspired by the aerodynamic fluid lines of an aircraft wing, the VIP Terminal façade is an architectural beauty that mirrors the aviation heritage of Dubai South. The seamless lines of the structure and the logo are replicated in the interiors that are classically designed with luxurious material including solid oak paneling. Louvered screens coated in a special bronze and gold metallic finish, allows the play of light to lend depth, perspective and privacy.
Inherently structured to maximise and revolutionise the customer experience, the VIP Terminal offers luxury product placements, experiential advertising, discreet promotions, limited editions bespoke and specially curated products. The strategic shift away from traditional product promotion, will result in passenger led engagement driving the duty free retail showcase. This includes a wide array of products from the arts and culture with paintings, sculptures and priceless artefacts, to cars, watches, real estate, super bikes, adding to the immersive experience.
The VIP Terminal currently hosts three FBOs including Falcon Aviation, Jetex and Jet Aviation. The terminal saw its first private jet take off in April this year, and has since then witnessed 1,000 flight movements with the number anticipated to grow to 4,000 movements in 2017.
As the world's first master-planned airport city, Dubai South is concentrating on building state-of-the-art infrastructure around the Al Maktoum International, thus creating a thriving aviation ecosystem. The Aviation District provides a specialised business environment that meets all the needs of the aviation industry. The district is also the new permanent home of the Dubai Airshow and caters to all practical aspects of private and commercial aviation.
- business@khaleejtimes.com