UAE. The much-anticipated Abu Dhabi International Airport Terminal A will begin operations on 1 November, offering what Abu Dhabi Airports described as enhanced travel experiences through state-of-the-art facilities and a “shoppers’ paradise {look out for Martin Moodie’s on location report next month}.
Abu Dhabi Airports described Terminal A as one of the world’s largest airport terminals, strengthening the emirate’s standing as a global aviation hub, and an international centre for tourism, trade and commerce.
The terminal will double the current airport capacity, with the capability to accommodate up to 45 million passengers per year.
At triple the size of the previous terminal, and with flights to 117 destinations worldwide, it will increase the frequency and reach of flights to and from Abu Dhabi, boosting the emirate as a destination for travel, business and entertainment, Abu Dhabi Airports said.
National carrier Etihad Airway’s ceremonial flight will take place on 31 October ahead of the public opening a day later.
Airlines will transition into Terminal A in three phases over a period of two weeks. After Etihad’s ceremonial flight, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi and 15 other international airlines will fly from the new terminal on 1 November.
From 9 November, Etihad Airways will operate 16 daily flights, before completing the transition to its new home on 14 November together with Air Arabia Abu Dhabi and ten other airlines. From that date all 28 airlines will be operational from Terminal A.
Retail and food & beverage emporium
When fully operational, Terminal A will be a “shopper’s paradise”, Abu Dhabi Airports said. The 35,000sq m commercial zone will features 163 retail and food & beverage concessionaires, offering passengers a wide variety of shopping and dining opportunities to enjoy.
As reported, Aer Rianta International-led Travel Retail Sales & Services will manage a wide-ranging perfume, cosmetics, sunglasses and fashion jewellery offer.
Lagardère Travel Retail will operate liquor & tobacco, confectionery and fine foods in partnership with Abu Dhabi Capital Group as Lagardère Capital. JCDecaux has an exclusive ten-year advertising contract; while Capi will operate five consumer technology stores and NAS the common user lounge.
In food & beverage HMSHost International, Lagardère Capital and SSP will provide an eclectic array of concepts.
From Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Ferragamo, to a pioneering Muji airport store, Terminal A is a shopping destination designed to amplify a passenger’s travel experience, the company said.
The extensive food & beverage offer is designed to accommodate all palates. Jones The Grocer, Taste of India, Starbucks and the Camden Food Co. are a few of the brands calling Terminal A their new home.
Young travellers can enjoy McDonalds or a TGI Fridays featuring a playful décor. American celebrity chef Todd English is opening a restaurant providing diners with a wide selection of cuisines from around the world.
The retail and F&B offers are complemented by two health and beauty spas along with a premium 138-bedroom hotel plus a modern open-air lounge offering Arabic hospitality.
Abu Dhabi Airports Managing Director and Interim CEO Elena Sorlini said, “With final preparations almost complete, I am proud to say we are ready to open Terminal A to the public on November 1st.
“We will see a rapid increase in the number of flights operating from Terminal A as of November 1st to the 14th, and I’m excited by the new opportunities and experiences which the iconic facility will bring to both airlines and passengers.
“Terminal A will drive the growth of the aviation sector in Abu Dhabi and play an instrumental role in welcoming more businesses and tourists to the emirate for decades to come.”
Tried and tested
In preparation for the opening in November, operational readiness trials will conclude tomorrow (17 October).
In total, the trials involved more than 11,000 volunteers selected from the Abu Dhabi community. These included Abu Dhabi Airports staff members, students, families and stakeholders from Abu Dhabi’s aviation community.
Those taking part in the robust simulations stress-tested end-to-end passenger journeys encompassing systems, equipment, staff and procedures in key operating areas such as check-in, baggage, security screening, immigration and boarding. The successful completion of these trials is a key milestone in ensuring Terminal A is ready for opening to the public in November, Abu Dhabi Airports said.
Top-class technology
Terminal A will prioritise the passenger experience, facilitating a streamlined service from kerb-to- gate, the company said. It will also be the first in the world to include all nine biometric airport touchpoints.
In the first phase, this will see biometric solutions installed in key areas, such as self-service bag drops, immigration eGates and boarding gates.
When fully operational, it will use facial recognition technology to screen passengers and minimise wait times.
“Combined with other hi-tech facilities including an advanced baggage handling system capable of processing up to 19,200 bags per hour, Terminal A is poised to deliver a seamless passenger journey to travellers like never before,” said Abu Dhabi Airports.
Through increasing to 65 parking stands connecting aircraft with allocated boarding gates will mean less congestion, a more relaxed boarding experience and smoother onward journey, the company added.
An airport as artport
The X-shaped building design helps improve operational efficiency and passenger flow featuring four themed piers inspired by Abu Dhabi’s desert, sea, city and oasis natural landscapes. It also features the Sana Al Nour, which is one of the largest indoor public art features in the Middle East, standing at 22 metres tall and 17 metres wide.
Terminal A will drastically reduce water consumption by -45%, while more than 7,500 solar panels power a 3MW plant that currently saves 5,300 tons of carbon dioxide annually.
A state-of-the-art Advanced Surface Movement Control System, the first of its kind in the Middle East, will allow planes to land quickly and safely during low-visibility weather conditions.✈
