Abu Dhabi Int’l gears up for huge 30 million passenger rise by 2017

The Abu Dhabi International Airport developments for this summer are part of the Capacity Enhancement Programme. — Supplied photo

Abu Dhabi International Airport has geared up for a huge spike in passenger numbers during the summer season, through a series of facility developments and service upgrades.

The airport’s developments for this summer are part of the Capacity Enhancement Programme for Abu Dhabi International Airport. The programme will lift the capacity ceiling to 18 million passengers a year. This will be boosted by a further 30 million passengers when the Midfield Terminal opens in 2017.

A range of recently completed ground improvements and new offers at the capital city’s main air gateway will ensure a smooth and enjoyable passage through the airport’s main passenger terminals, according to Abu Dhabi Airports, as the number of travellers are set to soar to record levels.

These developments include 20 new boarding bus gates that are now fully open to passengers and flights at Terminal-3 increasing the airport flight capacity by 44 per cent as the airport now has a total of 66 boarding gates.

Six new code E aircraft stands for wide-bodied aircraft have also been built in time for the summer rush. These new aircraft stands will increase the airport’s aircraft handling capability at any given hour throughout the day by 10 per cent, with a total of 63 stands.

In Terminal 3 — the building dedicated to home air carrier Etihad Airways flights — 16 new x-ray machines are now in place to speed up the security process for transfer passengers. An enhanced and expanded baggage transfer system has also been introduced for handling transfer luggage between connecting flights, which will be able to handle more luggage, more efficiently and faster than previously, through increasing the handling capacity by 40 per cent.

Companies and agencies working at the airport have also ensured their preparedness to the anticipated summer season by increasing their manpower in various functions including ground services, check-in services, passport control and Police.

For those travellers looking for fast track check-in and immigration and an all-round VIP experience, the Golden Class, operated by NAS, offers a variety of “meet & assist” convenient services at Abu Dhabi International Airport. The service also includes a limousine offering, baggage porters, and delivery and storage. A special summer promotion is currently running until September 30th offering travellers up to 75 per cent on fast track & parking packages for families up to 6 members. The Abu Dhabi Duty Free summer season sale has now begun with a 50 per cent discount on many items while stocks last. Shoppers can also take advantage of the new ‘buy on departure and collect on return’ shopping service. The service is available at Abu Dhabi International Airport Terminals 1 and 3 and includes all products available from the duty free.

Ali Majed Al Mansoori, chairman of Abu Dhabi Airports, said: “The number of flights we will handle during the peak travel months will leap by 18 per cent to nearly 170 every single day of the week compared to last summer. We’ve made great improvements all around the airport to ensure that all passengers, whether arriving, departing or transferring, will have a great start to their holiday journey.”

— haseeb@khaleejtimes.com