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The GCAA-certified Al Bateen Executive Airport, the Gulf Region’s first and only dedicated private aviation airport, announced a 12% increase in aircraft movements in the third quarter of this year, in comparison to the same period in 2010. ADAC business aviation airport registered 1,903 commercial traffic movements in the period between July and September this year, generated by a healthy mix of private aircraft and charter operations as well as flights of based and tenant operators.
The traffic report identified that the fastest growing segment of traffic was the visiting aircraft operations – i.e. aircraft that use Al Bateen Executive Airport as a regional stop or as an alternative gateway to Abu Dhabi or the UAE. Visiting aircraft alone registered an exceptional growth of 42%, whereby the figure grew to 202 movements, in comparison to the same period last year.
Steve Jones, Al Bateen Executive Airport General Manager, explained: “As an airport dedicated to business aviation, the significant increase in visiting aircraft reflects the increasing volume of business traffic in Abu Dhabi. The airport’s strategic location, providing businessmen with access to the central business district of the city, is one of the key strengths of this facility. Having access to a private customized airport also provides efficient operation with the ability to save time through offering quick aircraft handling turn around through the dedicated FBO service at Al Bateen, DhabiJet.“
The growth in commercial traffic is also expected to witness a further surge in November with the Abu Dhabi Formula One events, taking place in few weeks.
“Alongside its continuous development plans, Al Bateen constantly offers value added service to exceed its customer’s expectations. The airport will offer free landing and parking to all visiting VIP aircraft using the Executive Terminal over the Formula 1 period” added Jones.
The Airport has also witnessed a number of recent developments directed at its customer portfolio, last of which being DhabiJet, Al Bateen’s FBO, which has also added to the attractiveness of the executive airport to visiting international private aviation.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
