Abu Dhabi Airport’s Terminal A is set to entice more airlines to initiate flights to the UAE capital while strategically boosting operations to accommodate a projected increase in capacity to 65 million passengers within the next decade, up from the current 45 million.
Terminal A presently hosts 28 airlines, four more than the older terminal, including Air France, Russian state airline Aeroflot, low-cost carrier Pobeda, and Czech airline Smartwings.
CEO Targets Asia and China, Explores US Pre-Clearance Advantage
Elena Sorlini, Managing Director and Interim CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports, emphasized efforts to leverage government-to-government relations, particularly targeting Asia and China. The airport aims to capitalise on the US pre-clearance facility, a unique asset shared by only 15 airports globally.
The recently opened new terminal building on November 1 aligns with Abu Dhabi’s ambition to solidify its status as a global business and tourism hub. Abu Dhabi Airports, the state-run operator, is proactively preparing for sustained growth by planning to expand Terminal A’s passenger capacity, in tandem with Etihad Airways’ ambitious goals to triple passengers to 33 million and double its fleet to 150 planes by 2030.
The phased expansion, aimed at reaching 65 million passengers, involves a modular approach to deploy capacity as needed. With 410 aircraft movements per day expected during the winter season, up 21% from the summer, the airport is gearing up for significant growth, driven in part by new carriers like Wizz Air Abu Dhabi and Air Arabia Abu Dhabi.
Despite global macroeconomic and geopolitical challenges, including inflationary pressures and the Israel-Gaza conflict, Abu Dhabi Airport reports minimal impact on passenger traffic. Projecting “double-digit” growth in passenger traffic for 2024, the airport is scaling its workforce substantially to meet rising demands.
Regarding the future use of Terminal 1, various options are under consideration, with an emphasis on preserving its heritage and significance for Abu Dhabi, according to The National News.
As of November 15, airlines have transitioned exclusively to Terminal A, while plans for Terminal 1 are being evaluated with the city’s interests in mind.
