Dubai Airports has officially launched the all-new Executive Flights Centre (EFC) – the premier VIP terminal and executive travel facility at Dubai International.

The announcement was made on November 16, the opening day of Middle East Business Aviation conference and exhibition (MEBA 2008) at a press conference. The event also witnessed the unveiling of EFC’s new brand identity, which follows the re-branding of Dubai Airports and its associated entities late last year.

Located close to Dubai International’s Terminal 2, the new VIP terminal for EFC includes a 5,500 square-metre two-storey main building, a 3,700 square metre hangar, a 3,700 square metre ramp area for aircraft parking, and a special VIP car park for long term parking. The new facility makes EFC the largest dedicated business aviation terminal of its kind in the Middle East.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, and Chairman of Dubai Airports, said: “This development is part of our strategy to cope with the rapid growth of the business aviation sector in Dubai and in line with the greater objective of making Dubai the most preferred destination for international business and tourism.”

Hailing the Middle East’s business aviation sector as the fastest growing in the world, Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said Dubai has immense potential to continue leading the regional industry and sustain the existing growth-rate.

He added: “The larger, state-of-the-art EFC facility translates into additional capacity and the latest in technology to enable us to serve our customers better.”

Commenting on the new EFC terminal, Jamal Bin Krishan, Head of Executive Services at Dubai Airports, said the demand for EFC services has been increasing at a rapid rate, especially over the recent years. “In 1988, the year that EFC was opened, 208 flight movements were recorded. Last year, the total number of flight movements at the EFC terminal reached 9,432, while this year the figure already stands at 7,050 for the first three quarters of 2008,” he said.

EFC is very popular among celebrities – from showbiz figures to sport stars, businessmen, as well as large corporate entities, for the VIP treatment, prompt service and privacy the terminal offers.

EFC terminal has its own dedicated immigration and customs sections – it is the only terminal in the Middle East to boast e-Gates for quick immigration clearance; its very own Dubai Duty Free outlet, a fully equipped business/conference centre, eight luxury private lounges, and a limousine service between aircraft and the terminal. Customers arriving into Dubai at EFC can also book for a wide range of exotic cars.

The terminal’s ramp area can accommodate up to 22 small-sized private jets such as the Lear Jet or Hawker; or between eight to 12 medium sized jets such as the Challenger or Falcon. It can accommodate up to three large sized jets like the Boeing Business Jet (BBJ), the 727 or the Airbus 319.