Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) has reported significant progress in its AED26 billion program for redevelopment of Abu Dhabi International Airport. Addressing delegates to the Airport Build and Supply Exhibition…
Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) has reported significant progress in its AED26 billion program for redevelopment of Abu Dhabi International Airport. Addressing delegates to the Airport Build and Supply Exhibition which opened here today at Dubai Airport Expo, James Robinson, ADAC Planning Manager said major projects were heading toward timely completion.
Visitors to ADAC stand will be able to see first hand the future developments as the company is showcasing its master plan model for the redevelopment of Abu Dhabi International Airport. The programme will allow for phased growth of passenger traffic to beyond 40 million per year from the current seven million, while cargo capacity will be boosted to 2.5 million tones per year. The project includes construction of a second runway, two new terminals, a state-of-the-art air traffic control complex, new cargo facilities, an airport free trade zone, retail and maintenance facilities.
On the infrastructural front, work is progressing according to schedule to meet the deadline and three facilities will come on line in the first half of 2008: a third passenger terminal, a second runway, and an air traffic control tower.
Terminal 3 is an interim facility designed to meet the impressive growth requirements of the national airliner, Etihad Airways. Its eight gates are capable of handling the new generation of wide-bodied aircraft, and two of them are A380 compatible. Terminal 3 will add another five million to the airport passenger capacity, which now stands at seven million.
The second runway is being built two kilometers to the north of the existing one. It is a category 3 all weather runway measuring 4,100 meters in length and will be capable of handling the new Airbus A380 double-decker aircraft.
The air traffic control complex will enable the airport to handle up to 70 takeoffs and landings per hour. The structure will be 110 meters high and will be an architectural showpiece.
ADAC also plans to have phase 1 of the airport free zone up and running in June 2008. The free zone will occupy a built area of over 7 million square meters, offering investors an impressive package of world-class facilities and services.
The creation of a free zone marks a milestone in Abu Dhabi’s plans to establish itself as a dynamic business centre. The free zone will take advantage of Abu Dhabi International Airport’s strategic geographical position on the crossroads between the east and the west, and the large-scale economic development of the Emirate.
When the free zone comes on line in mid 2008, expansion and redevelopment of the existing cargo facilities will have been completed too and work on the new cargo facilities will have begun.
The Master plan also caters to the cargo sector. More than 50 hectares have been reserved for new cargo facilities. ADAC will be building three new cargo terminals, two for Etihad Airways, and one for the use of other airlines, with an ultimate combined capacity of around 2.5 million tones.
With regards ADAC`s our flagship facility, the Midfield Terminal, conceptual designs have now been completed and groundbreaking work will start later this year. The Midfield Terminal will emerge as an impressive architectural feat offering the ultimate experience in terms of functionality and aesthetic appeal. The Terminal will initially have over 30 gates, and will expand to over 80 to cope with anticipated growth.
Along with infrastructural development, due emphasis is being made to improve customer service levels and operational efficiency. In this connection, a host of initiatives have been introduced to ensure that users of the existing facilities get the best possible treatment.
“Our pursuit for improvement is relentless,” said ADAC Chairman and Managing Director Khalifa Al Mazrouei. “It starts with safety and security issues and goes all the way to the length of waiting time at baggage collection, and how long an arriving passenger has to queue for a taxi, through to check-in times, immigration services, lounge, food and beverage and duty-free experiences.
Recently, Abu Dhabi International Airport has witnessed unprecedented increase in passenger traffic, having registered a 25% growth in the first quarter of 2007 over the same period last year. Passengers handled by the airport by Q1 2007 reached a total of 1.575 million, compared to 1.255 million in Q1 2006.
The first quarter of 2007 did also bring international recognition for the airport as a gateway of choice. The Airport bagged two prestigious awards by the Airports Council International (ACI), an international body of 573 members operating over 1,643 airports in 178 countries. The awards, based on annual feedback of international passengers, confirmed ADIA as the best Airport in Africa and the Middle East in terms of service quality, courtesy, and customer service.
Al Ain International Airport, which is serving the southern region of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi is also emerging as a sought after cargo hub facility. Earlier this month, the Emirates Corporation for Commercial Postal Services (Empost) chose Al Ain International Airport as the home base for their international air cargo operations which will extend to the Indian Subcontinent, the Middle East, and Europe. Empost will be the region’s largest cargo freighter and has plans to expand its fleet to over 50 aircraft by 2012. This selection reflects Empost’s recognition of the quality of service and strategic location Al Ain Airport.
Surely, we will use these positive developments as stepping stones toward reinforcing our image as a quality-oriented, excellence -driven organization, remarked Al Mazrouei
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
