On flying into DXB for the first time a few weeks ago I noticed that the customer-facing gate numbers don't match the gate numbers used by ATC/ground/pilots.

For example gate D2 (for ATC/ground/pilots) is gate A9 (customer facing), D3 is A10 etc.

For T3 concourse A at least, one side of the concourse is numbered D** for ATC/ground/pilots and the other side is numbered A** for ATC/ground/pilots. Inside for customer facing purposes it is all numbered A**.

Anyone know why they do this?

Similar is done at airports like LHR where gate 305 for ATC/ground/pilots is T3 gate 5 for customer facing purposes but their numbering makes a lot more sense than DXB.