The Abu Dhabi Airports Company “ADAC” is to announce within the next month a partner to operate Abu Dhabi International Airport, according to the Company’s Chairman and Managing Director, Khalifa Mohammed Al Mazrouei.
“We are considering proposals from a number of the world class operators, among them are Singapore’s Changi Airport, Munich Airport, Vienna Airport and BAA,” said Al Mazrouei.
Addressing MEED’s Abu Dhabi Conference 2006, Al Mazrouei said the aviation industry in Abu Dhabi was poised for phenomenal growth that should help put the Emirate on the world map as a leading business and tourist hub. The redevelopment of Abu Dhabi International Airport will help support a large-scale economic development initiative launched by the Government of Abu Dhabi.
“The creation of Abu Dhabi Airports Company serves one of the objectives behind the Government of Abu Dhabi’s restructuring effort. The Airport will serve as the gateway to the capital, offering an attractive and welcoming experience for residents, business travelers, and visitors alike. It will be a world-class, architecturally innovative, and operationally efficient home base for Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, as it grows and establishes itself as a premiere airline. The Airport will showcase the UAE's cultural, environmental, and economic achievements”, Al Mazrouei told delegates to the conference, held at the Emirates Palace.
Giving an overview of the redevelopment efforts, Al Mazrouei said interim solutions introduced in 2005 have literally doubled the Airport’s capacity, from 3.5 million passengers to around 7 million, following renovation and expansion of Terminal 1 and creation of a second terminal.
“We are now working on a third terminal, which will cater to the medium-term needs of Etihad Airways. Scheduled for completion in April 2008, the facility will accommodate up to five million passengers and will have eight gates and will be capable of handling traffic from the new generation of wide-bodied aircraft. The Terminal will meet the Airline's projected growth through 2010, when the new midfield terminal complex comes on stream.”
Upon inauguration in late 2010, the Midfield Terminal will increase overall airport capacity to up to 20 million passengers. That capacity can be further expanded gradually to 40 million to cope with demand growth.
By November 2007, a new 4,100 meter category III runway will come online to accommodate the new generation of wide-bodied aircraft, including the Airbus A380’s.
Other landmarks include a new Air Traffic Control Complex, able to handle up to 70 takeoffs and landings per hour, and a new duty-free zone.
Cargo capacity has already doubled to 300,000 tonnes, from 150,000 tonnes in 2005. An ultimate growth to growth to well over two million tons is envisioned by the master plan.
On future plans, Al Mazrouei disclosed that the Company was in the look out for strategic partners. “The Government of Abu Dhabi has opted to change the aviation structure from department-based to corporate structure to ensure a swift and effective development and expansion programme of the airport. We are currently discussing with a number of world class airport operators the opportunity at Abu Dhabi International Airport. We will hopefully be able to announce a decision within the next month” he said.
