Originally Posted by
GavinC
A good proportion of Dubai Terminal 3 (and 1) is underground linking the entrance to the overground structure with the airbidges. It allows for the overground section of the terminal building to have airbridgs on both sides.
This is a feature elsewhere. Los Angeles Architects Pereira & Associates came up with it for LAX in 1960, although much has been rebuilt since. St Petersburg, Russia, domestic terminal is the same.
Underground structures however are challenging (ie expensive) for the architecture. Liability to flooding from groundwater/heavy rain, and needing extensive measures to overcome this, is one. Fire escape measures is another. Ability to change/link to other structures as requirements vary (and we all know how airports can be permanent construction sites) is a third. It's bad enough for underground city railways.
some sort of retractable escalator to take the passengers up/down to/from the aircraft.
Afraid the Disability Access regulations make this one a non-starter nowadays.