Changi Airport International inked an agreement for management of operations at Abu Dhabi International Airport (ADIA) signifying Changi’s Airport first foray into the Middle East a fast…
Changi Airport International inked an agreement for management of operations at Abu Dhabi International Airport (ADIA) signifying Changi’s Airport first foray into the Middle East a fast growing aviation market that will see the emergence of several potential air hubs in the near future. This had secured a joint venture contract with the Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport for the management of Terminal 1 of the Moscow Airport.
This management contract for Abu Dhabi International Airport is for an 18-month term. The initial scope of the contract is to oversee the operations of the existing airport terminals to ensure all-round improvements in efficiency, safety, security and service quality. Currently, the existing airport has a capacity of 7 million passengers per annum (mppa) and the contact is indented to augment Abu Dhabi efforts to position itself as an important global air hub.
At this signing of the Operations Management Agreement (OMA), Chief Executive Officer of Changi Airports International, Mr. Chow Kok Fong emphasized that this OMA signifies the beginning of a new exciting relationship between Abu Dhabi and Singapore. He said “Few businesses with global aspirations can afford not to be in the Gulf region. Abu Dhabi International Airport presents an attractive alternative hub to this fast growing geographical region. Potentially its reach is considerable, sweeping through Africa and the Middle East and linking these regions to Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas.”
Mr. Chow added “The Abu Dhabi International Airport is already one of the leading airports in this region and we have a very high regard for what they have already achieved. Together, the synergy between Changi and Abu Dhabi will be formidable and I am confident we can leverage on this purposefully to unlock other investment and business opportunities in the region.”
Mr. Khalifa Al Mazrouei, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) said “We have been impressed Singapore Changi Airport’s track record as one of the world’s most successful and well-run airports. We believe that there is a lot of synergy which each airport can bring to this partnership and we know it will accelerate the pace to enable our airport to attain a position among the top airports of the world.”
ADAC is responsible for operating and developing all the airports within the Emirate, including ADIA. ADIA has launched an aggressive expansion program to develop a new terminal building known as the Midfield Terminal Complex (MTC)
The construction of which is expected to complete in 2010. MTC will be designed for an ultimate capacity of 40 mppa; its flexible design will allow incremental growth without disruption to the ongoing operations. It will be equipped with the latest equipment and facilities to handle the Airbus A380 aircraft which home base national carrier, Etihad Airways has committed to purchase.
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