Airports - March April 2015

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AIRPORT INFRASTRUCTURE
ABU DHABI
With the opening of Abu Dhabi International’s new
midfield terminal two years away, Luigi Vallero pays a visit
to see what’s being done to manage demand until then.
The Abu Dhabi Airports Company
(ADAC) has continued to invest in
Abu Dhabi International Airport’s
(AUH’s) existing infrastructure to
meet rapidly increasing demand, even
though its futuristic 30mppa Midfield
Terminal Complex (MTC) is due to be
finished in 2017.
United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based ADAC
reported an impressive 23.9% growth in
passenger numbers during September
2014 compared to the same month the
previous year, registering 1,696,651.
Aircraft movements rose by 14.9% yearon-year
to 13,070. Doha, London, Bangkok,
Manila and Mumbai were the busiest routes,
accounting for 15% of traffic.
Most of this has been driven by the
rapidly expanding Etihad Airways (see the
March issue of Airliner World) which has
recently introduced the Airbus A380 and
the Boeing 787 to its fleet. The carrier has
established an impressive list of partner
airlines, which is strengthening its vast
route network on top of new destinations
it plans to serve.
Meeting demand
The first buttress for the main structural
steel arches of the MTC were placed in
October 2013 and work is progressing
rapidly in the desert (see the February
issue of Airliner World). The vast project,
currently the largest construction job in the
Middle East, is a clear indication of ADAC’s
intent to rival its neighbour Dubai, but more
capacity will be required at the existing
airport until the MTC opens.
To achieve this ADAC established the
Capacity Enhancement Programme to enable
AUH to handle more passengers through
continuous enhancements to the existing
facilities, such as a new arrivals hall, which
opened at the beginning of 2013. Further
construction includes the remodelling of
Terminal 1, which is being modified and
expanded to help to accommodate an
anticipated 20mppa by 2017.
To improve the shopping experience for
passengers and the communities living
close to the airport, the range of customer
services in the Skypark Plaza beside
Terminal 3 has been supplemented by new
tenants. Among the new amenities are
more services and retail options, including
a spa, souvenir shop, optical and hair
dressing services, fashion and accessories
outlets and even a supermarket. Retail
space has also been reserved for the
Khalifa Fund for Development to provide
support and retail space for Emirati
entrepreneurs.
Commenting on the Skypark Plaza,
Mohammed Al Bulooki, ADAC’s Chief
Commercial Officer, said: “Abu Dhabi
Airports is delighted to welcome Starter
Supermarket to Skypark Plaza. The team
believes there’s a growing demand for
quality convenience shopping in this
location to serve the local community
and so, in line with the company’s strategy
to expand Abu Dhabi International
Airport’s retail offering and enhance its
customers’ experience, we’re progressing
with a variety of new ideas, concepts and
improvements.”
The supermarket is open between 06:00
and midnight, seven days a week, and is
stocked with a full range of items, fresh
produce, frozen foods and has its own
bakery. It is accessible to the public from
the Terminal 3 car park.
The Skypark Plaza
beside Terminal
3 has welcomed
new tenants and
now offers a wide
range of services
as well as retail and
refreshment options.
(All photos author
unless stated)
Etihad Airways
is poised for rapid
expansion at AUH
once the new MTC
opens in July 2017.
Airport operator
ADAC has upgraded
existing facilities
to cope until then.
(AirTeamImages.
com/BaoLuo)
Construction
work is well under
way on the sevenstorey
main terminal
building, which
will be larger than
London/Heathrow’s
T5 when finished.
With passenger
numbers rising at
more than 20% a
year, the current
infrastructure has
struggled to cope.
www.airportsworld.com 75