Innovative architecture is at the heart of Abu Dhabi International Airport’s expansion plan

Amulti-billion dollar programme is under way to transform Abu Dhabi International Airport into a top class facility that will cater for the emirate’s growth far into the future. The £3.4 billion expansion plan is designed to raise the airport’s annual passenger capacity to 20 million by 2010, allowing for phased growth to beyond 40 million per year. It includes two new terminals, a second runway, a state-of-the-art air traffic control tower and a free trade zone. Cargo facilities at the airport are being expanded to a capacity of 2.5 million tons per year.
The improvements are being made to cope with an anticipated surge of between 12 and 15 million passengers by 2015, as the rapidly developing emirate attracts larger numbers of business travellers and tourists.

Abu Dhabi Airport has been experiencing an unprecedented increase in passenger traffic, and is on the way to reaching its current capacity of seven million per year. In the first quarter of this year, it registered an increase of 25 per cent to 1.575 million, compared to 1.255 million in the same period in 2006.

The first of the new terminals will be the airport’s third – the second was opened as recently as 2005. Due to be opened next year, and dedicated exclusively to serving the UAE’s national carrier, Etihad Airways, it will have eight gates. Next year will also see the coming into operation of a second 4.1-kilometre all weather runway, capable of landing wide-bodied aircraft such as the Airbus 380, and a 110 metre high air traffic control tower able to handle up to 70 aircraft movements per hour.

Meanwhile work will start this year on construction of the airport’s flagship development, the huge new Midfield Terminal, an architecturally impressive showpiece development, which is scheduled to open in 2010. The innovative modern design will reflect regional architectural features such as domes and arches, and include a check-in hall framed by a series of long span steel arches supporting a soaring roof.

It is a design that will enable a quick and seamless flow of passengers, facilitated by the latest technologies, such as e-gates with biometric scans, automated check-in facilities and internet booking, paperless processing, and self-service kiosks. Initially, the terminal will have 30 gates, later to be expanded to 80.

KHALIFA AL MAZROUEI Chairman of Abu Dhabi Airports Company

Overseeing the development programme is the Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) which took over the running of the airport from the Department of Civil Aviation last year when it was given responsibility for operating, managing and maintaining airports in the emirate.

Khalifa Mohamed Al Mazrouei, ADAC’s Chairman, says the growth and expansion of the airport at its current location, ideally located 18 miles outside Abu Dhabi Island, provides “the freedom to expand on an almost unlimited level. Future developments will grow towards the Bahrain highway and Dubai highway, which are also strategically located.”

In order to maintain the level of service and ensure that there is no congestion, the new facilities have been designed to cater for 10 to 15 years expected growth, he adds. “In that way we can add future expansions without disrupting the operations of the airport.”

ADAC is working closely with Etihad Airways, whose growth it aims to facilitate. Etihad is one of the fastest growing airlines in the world. Over the past year, it has added 15 wide-bodied aircraft to its fleet, as well as 10 new international destinations, including New York, Kuala Lumpur and Sydney. In the first six months of the year, Etihad carried more than 1.9 million passengers compared to 900,000 for the same period last year, an increase of 111 per cent.

Creation of ADAC is part of a wider government initiative aimed at improving services to support the emirate’s long-term strategies for the economy in general and tourism in particular. A key element is the direct involvement of the private sector.
According to Mr Mazrouei, there are more than 100 areas of operation at the airport in which the private sector could be involved, ranging from air traffic control to catering. “We assess every activity and its cost, and if the private sector can do better than us, we outsource.

“We need to deliver top notch service at the highest management level, and this we must do either internally or through the support of certain private airport operators who have already a track record of strong service levels.”

ADAC has signed up Changi Airports International as operations manager of the airport. The Singapore-based company has assumed management of operations in key areas, such as terminal and apron operations, airport emergency services, and customer services for an 18-month term, and is also advising on the planning of the Midfield Terminal.

The airport was recently named best hub in the Middle East and Africa by the Airports Council International, an organisation representing hundreds of airfield operators across the globe. “Our pursuit for improvement is relentless,” says Mr Al Mazrouei.
“It starts with safety and security issues and goes all the way to the length of waiting time at baggage collection, 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.”

Abu Dhabi International Airport will eventually be able to cater for 40 million passengers

Duty free shopping to be extended

Opportunities for duty free shopping at the Abu Dhabi Airport are being greatly increased to cater for the rise in the number of passengers passing through. The amount of space allocated to Abu Dhabi Duty Free (ADDF), the region’s leading travel retailer by customer spend and second by turnover, is being extended with the opening of the new Terminal 3 and the launch of a new 48 hour duty free shopping concept.

Sales results for the first six months of this year show turnover is 33.26 per cent higher than the same period last year. “We expect to cross the £49 million mark in terms of turnover by the end of the year,” says Niveen Ibrahim, the ADDF’s General Manager.

At around £25, average spending per departing passenger is one of the highest in the industry. A new 500-square foot, 48-hour arrivals shop, a first in the region, will permit travellers to take advantage of their duty free allowance for up to two days after arriving in Abu Dhabi.

“We are proud to be the first in the region to be offering this service and convenience to passengers,” says Mohammed Mounib, ADAC’s Commercial Director. “One of the clear advantages of the shop is that if a passenger does not take advantage of their duty free allowance when initially coming through the airport, they will be able to do so for up to two days after arrival.”

Free trade zone to open

Establishing a free zone is intended to turn the airport into a thriving business and cargo hub. Phase 1, which will extend over 75 million square feet, will come into operation in June next year.

The zone will offer world-class facilities and services, and a user friendly environment for a wide range of businesses including: aerospace and related activities, logistics and freight, electronics and electricals, engineering and building materials, technology and telecommunications, and oil and gas products.

Clusters of amenities will be close by and expansion and redevelopment of the existing cargo facilities will have been completed by the time the zone becomes operational.

Companies establishing themselves in the zone will be able to take advantage of the airport’s strategic geographical position on the crossroads between east and west. Investors will benefit from 100 per cent exemption from corporate tax, imports and export duties and personal income tax. Total foreign ownership is allowed, along with 100 per cent repatriation of capital and profits.

Khalifa Al Mazrouei, ADAC’s Chairman says: “Developing a free zone is an important part of the development and expansion of Abu Dhabi International Airport. It will ensure that the airport will become a thriving cargo and business hub, as well as increasing non-aeronautical revenues.”