Business & Finance Club - Dubai: Dubai Airports, Emirates Airline and Dubai Duty Free (DDF) on Tuesday welcomed the 50 millionth passenger to pass through the world’s largest airport terminal, Dubai International Emirates Terminal 3.

Parvez Khan, an assistant manager with a hotel in Dubai and a resident of Ajman, was in for a surprise as he was greeted at the check-in counter by a delegation of Dubai aviation executives including Jamal Al Hai, Dubai Airports’ Senior Vice-President, Strategy and Development; Chris Garton, Dubai Airports Senior Vice-President, Operations; Mohammad Mattar, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice-President, Airport Services; and Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free, and presented a certificate for 50,000 Skywards miles and DDF shopping vouchers worth Dh5,000 to mark the occasion.

Parvez was accompanied by his wife Josephine and their six-year-old son Sahil. “This is just so exciting! It’s doubly surprising given the fact that I am seeing Terminal 3 for the very first time and it will also be my first time flying Emirates. The timing couldn’t have been better, as we are flying home to Mumbai for Eid,” he said.

“I am truly overwhelmed by the warm welcome and the special attention” he added.

“Each customer is special but welcoming the 50 millionth passenger to this terminal in less than two years of operation is an important milestone and testament not only to incredible traffic growth but also Dubai’s commitment to deliver world-class service at a world-class aviation facility,” said Al Hai.

Dubai International Emirates Terminal 3 first opened its doors on October 14, 2008 for the exclusive use of Emirates Airline. Since starting operations, Emirates Terminal 3 has handled more than 197,920 flight movements (departures and arrivals), 50 million passengers and some 70 million pieces of luggage.

The terminal is the world’s largest but its unique design coupled with state-of-the-art people transport solutions such as travelators effectively shorten the distance from kerbside to the aircraft.

Currently some 85,000 passengers pass through this terminal every day, and that number continues to grow.