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Dh26b ADAC programme to boost traffic

ABU DHABI — Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) has reported significant progress in its Dh26 billion programme for redevelopment of Abu Dhabi International Airport, as major components of the massive project are heading toward timely completion.

Addressing delegates to 'the Airport Build and Supply Exhibition', which opened at Dubai Airport Expo, James Robinson, ADAC planning manager said that the redevelopment will allow phased growth of passenger traffic to beyond 40 million per year from the current seven million, while cargo capacity will be boosted to 2.5 million tones per year.

"The project includes construction of a second runway, two new terminals, a state-of-the-art air traffic control complex, new cargo facilities, an airport free trade zone, retail and maintenance facilities", he said.

On the infrastructural front,James Robinsom said that the work is progressing according to schedule to meet the deadline and three facilities will come on line in the first half of 2008: a third passenger terminal, a second runway, and an air traffic control tower. Terminal-3 is an interim facility designed to meet the impressive growth requirements of the national airliner, Etihad Airways.

Its eight gates are capable of handling the new generation of wide-bodied aircraft, and two of them are A380 compatible. Terminal 3 will add another five million to the airport passenger capacity, which now stands at seven million.

The second runway is being built two kilometres to the north of the existing one. It is a category 3 all weather runway measuring 4,100 metres in length and will be capable of handling the new Airbus A380 double-decker aircraft.

The air traffic control complex will enable the airport to handle up to 70 take-offs and landings per hour. The structure will be 110 metres high and will be an architectural showpiece.

ADAC also plans to have phase 1 of the airport free zone up and running in June 2008, spreading over a built area of over 7 million square metres, offering investors an impressive package of world-class facilities and services.

When the free zone comes on line in mid-2008, expansion and redevelopment of the existing cargo facilities will have been completed too and work on the new cargo facilities will have begun. The Master plan also caters to the cargo sector development on more than 50 hectares. ADAC will be building three new cargo terminals, two for Etihad Airways, and one for the use of other airlines, with an ultimate combined capacity of around 2.5 million tonnes.

The midfield terminal's conceptual designs have now been completed and groundbreaking work will start later this year. The terminal which will initially have 30 gates, emerges as an impressive architectural feat offering the ultimate experience in terms of functionality and aesthetic appeal.