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29 March 2024

Abu Dhabi airport’s third terminal to open in May

Published
By Abdel Hai Mohamed

 

The third terminal at the capital’s airport will open in May, Khalifa Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Chairman and Managing Director of the Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), confirmed yesterday. The terminal – to be used solely by Etihad Airways – will be handed over by the main contractor in April prior to being fitted out by ADAC.


“The opening represents the first phase of the terminal project, which is being implemented in three phases,” Al Mazrouei said at the Middle East Fire Aviation Fire Protection Conference.

“The second and third phases are due to be complete before the end of 2008. The total cost of the terminal is Dh1 billion and once completed it will accommodate around five million passengers a year.

“It will be equipped with KAT 2000 – the most modern system for inspecting passengers, luggage and goods. The checks will be carried out in three phases without causing any jams.”

Al Mazrouei said ADAC had an integrated plan to make Abu Dhabi International one the world’s top airports in terms of security, safety and customer service.

Al Mazrouei said ADAC was installing equipment to allow planes to land and take off in heavy fog. The devices would be introduced at Abu Dhabi International next summer.

The UAE spends hundreds of millions of dirhams a year on security and safety arrangements at its airports, including training police officers and equipping civil defence units.

Al Mazrouei said the civil aviation industry was developing rapidly and added: “Figures from the Airports Council International show that travel movements in the Middle East will grow by 20 per cent over the next few years despite many problems related to safety and security.
More than 4.4 billion passengers will use airports across the world in 2008.”

The two-day conference in the capital has been organised by ADAC in conjunction with the International Aviation Fire Protection Association. Delegates are discussing a range of issues including the protection of airports from fires, medical emergencies, the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s standards and aircraft disasters. The speakers include various experts from the United Kingdom, Hong Kong and the Middle East.

Yesterday, guests were briefed on an ADAC exercise intended to ensure the readiness of all specialist bodies in Abu Dhabi to deal with an aircraft accident. More than 15 firms took part, including Abu Dhabi Police, hospitals, civil defence, customs, Abu Dhabi Airport Services Company and Etihad Airways.