ABU DHABI, 2023 October 16 (WAM) –

Terminal A of Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) will be operational in 2023. on November 1, which will significantly increase passenger numbers in Abu Dhabi and strengthen the emirate’s position as an aviation hub.

Etihad Airways will operate the inaugural flight on 31 October before the terminal opens to the public on 1 November. The new terminal will enhance the travel experience with the most modern infrastructure available to passengers and airlines in the region.

The airlines will move to Terminal A in 3 phases over 2 weeks: after Etihad’s celebratory flight on 31 October, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi and 15 other international airlines will fly from the new terminal on 1 November. From November 9 Etihad Airways, together with Air Arabia Abu Dhabi and 10 other airlines, will operate 16 daily flights, and on November 14. will finish moving to new premises. From November 14 all 28 airlines will start flights from Terminal A.

In preparation for the November opening, operational testing will be completed on October 17. In total, more than 11,000 volunteers selected from the Abu Dhabi community participated in these trials. These include Abu Dhabi Airports staff, students, families and stakeholders from the Abu Dhabi aviation community. Participants in these high-fidelity simulations tested end-to-end passenger journeys, including systems, equipment, personnel and procedures in key operational areas such as check-in, baggage, security screening, immigration and boarding. The successful completion of these tests is a key step in ensuring that Terminal A is ready to open to the public in November.

Elena Sorlini, Interim Director General and CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports, said: “With the final preparations almost complete, I am proud to say that we are ready for November 1. open Terminal A to the public. number of flights from Terminal A between November 1 and 14, and I am excited about the new opportunities and experiences this iconic facility will offer airlines and passengers. Terminal A will drive the growth of the aviation sector in Abu Dhabi and play an important role in welcoming more businesses and tourists to the emirate for decades to come.

Once fully operational, Terminal A will be a shopper’s paradise, covering 35,000 m2 with 163 retail and food and beverage concessionaires, offering passengers a wide variety of shopping and dining options. To relax and recharge before your flight, there are two health and beauty spas, a high-quality 138-room hotel and a modern open-air lounge offering renowned Arabian hospitality.

Terminal A will prioritize the passenger experience, facilitating a streamlined curbside-to-gate service. It will also be the first in the world to have all nine airport biometric touch points. Initially, biometric solutions will be implemented in key areas such as self-service luggage lockers, electronic immigration counters and boarding gates. Once fully operational, they will use facial recognition technology to screen passengers and reduce waiting times. Coupled with other high-tech facilities, including an advanced baggage handling system capable of handling up to 19,200 bags per hour, Terminal A is poised to offer travelers a seamless journey like never before. The increased number of parking bays (65) connecting aircraft to their assigned boarding gates helps to reduce congestion, facilitate boarding and facilitate the continuation of the journey.

The X-shaped building helps improve operational efficiency and passenger flow. It features four themed marinas inspired by Abu Dhabi’s natural landscapes of desert, sea, city and oasis. It also houses Sana Al Nour, one of the largest indoor public works of art in the Middle East, measuring 22 meters high and 17 meters wide.

Terminal A will significantly reduce water consumption by 45 percent, and more than 7,500 solar panels will power a 3 MW power plant that will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 5,300 tons per year. In addition, an advanced surface movement control system, the first of its kind in the Middle East, will allow aircraft to land quickly and safely in low-visibility weather conditions.

Terminal A is one of the largest airport terminals in the world, strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as a global hub for tourism, trade and commerce. The terminal will double the airport’s current capacity and will be able to receive up to 45 million passengers a year. Three times the size of the old terminal and serving 117 destinations worldwide, it will increase the frequency and range of flights to and from Abu Dhabi, strengthening the emirate’s position as a travel, business and leisure destination.

Translated by Gihane Fawzi.

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