Dubai: Dubai Airports conducted on Saturday the second operational trial for Dubai International's Terminal 3.

The second of a series of three trials, the exercise involved some 3,000 volunteers from the public and was focused on testing the whole spectrum of systems, processes and services at the new terminal, particularly those related to the transfer of transit passengers to connecting flights.

The trials are being conducted ahead of a phased transition of operations to the new terminal from October 14. The 'soft' opening of the Emirates Airline-dedicated terminal will be implemented in four phases, ensuring that systems and processes are working to the highest standards of efficiency, enabling customers to make their way through the facility as easily and speedily as possible. The third and final trial is scheduled to take place in late September.

Emphasising the importance of the second trial vis-à-vis its focus on transit passengers, Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, explained that as an emerging global aviation hub, Dubai is fast becoming a major international transit point. "A considerable percentage of our passenger traffic comprises transit passengers and their numbers are set to increase substantially over the coming years."