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Abu Dhabi International Airport

Operated by Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), Abu Dhabi International Airport serves the city of Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates. It is the second largest airport in the UAE. In 2008, its passenger traffic achieved a record 9.02 million passengers, up by 30.2 per cent from 6.9 million passengers in 2007.

In January 2009, Abu Dhabi international was the first airport in the Middle East region to receive regulatory approval for enhanced low visibility operations. This classification, also known as CAT III B, allows for aircraft to land safely and maneuver in low visibility conditions. The upgrading of the airport’s original runway allows it to be operational unless visibility falls below 125m. Widely expected to help reduce delays associated with weather conditions, such as heavy fog, the new classification puts Abu Dhabi International Airport among a select number of airports in the world.

Located 32km from the heart of Abu Dhabi city, the airport is built over an area of 350,000 square metre. Three highways lead from the city centre to the airport: Khaleej Al Arabi (Highway 30), Sheikh Rashid Al Maktoum Street (Highway 2), and Salam Street (Highway 8). All three highways merge into E10 on approach to the airport.

The airport operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Its second runway, which was completed in 2008, is 4.1 kilometres long and 60 meters wide. It is expected to receive its CAT III B classification in 2009. It is located two kilometres north and parallel (but offset) to the existing runway, making it a fully independent runway system. This configuration will provide extensive capacity for the coming decades, rising from the current peak utilization of 16-18 Air Traffic Movements (ATMs) per hour to around 75 ATMs per hour.

Abu Dhabi International Airport’s new terminal three (T3) serves as base to Etihad Airways, the fast-growing national flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates. T3 was opened in early 2009, raising the airport capacity to 12 million passengers per annum. As part of a phased opening strategy, which started in the last quarter of 2008, flights have been using the gate facilities from October with passengers on selected flights checked in as normal in Terminals 1 and 1A and then boarded via bus to the departure gate at Terminal 3, adjacent to T1. Arrivals have been welcomed into the new Terminal since December. In January, ADAC and Etihad Airways also began trials for arriving and connecting passengers using different aircraft types.

Following the Terminal’s opening in early 2009, ADAC and Etihad worked on implementing the transition of the majority of Etihad flights from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3. This allowedthe smooth transition for all passengers, as well as the ability to monitor and confirm safety and security measures and ensure its award-winning security standards are met.

To meet further growing demand, ADAC has begun development work on a major new passenger terminal, to be situated between the two parallel runways and known as the Midfield Terminal Complex (MTC). The construction of the Midfield Terminal is a key element of the broader Midfield Complex, which will include cargo and catering facilities, utilities and related infrastructure. In its first year of operation, the planned capacity of this facility is expected to reach 20 million passengers, gradually increasing to 40 million passengers per annum.