Published: 7 September 2023
On 31 August 2023, the Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), the company that operates Abu Dhabi International Airport, announced that the long-delayed Midfield Terminal Building (MTB), now renamed "Terminal A," will finally open in early November.
In this timeline, we chronicle the development of "AUH" and its predecessors back to their early beginnings and reveal some previously unknown facts and rare images along the way!
In this timeline, we chronicle the development of "AUH" and its predecessors back to their early beginnings and reveal some previously unknown facts and rare images along the way!
Early history
1930: A military airstrip is established on Abu Dhabi’s Sir Bani Yas Island, serving aircraft on the route between Britain, India and Australia.
1932: The UAE’s first civilian airstrip is established at nearby Sharjah, which caters to airliners on the western Gulf air-route to India.
1955: Abu Dhabi Airfield is built 3 kilometres southwest of Abu Dhabi. It is built to support oil exploration by Abu Dhabi Marine Areas.
Facilities include a 305-metre (1,000-foot), salt flat runway, along with a tiny sandstone terminal. There is no radar. Flights operate visually and pilots have to check the strip was clear before landing or taking off.
The airport serves mainly de Havilland Dove and Heron aircraft. The first flights are operated by the local airline Gulf Aviation, which operates a weekly flight from Doha Airport to Sharjah, using Abu Dhabi as a stopover.
1932: The UAE’s first civilian airstrip is established at nearby Sharjah, which caters to airliners on the western Gulf air-route to India.
1955: Abu Dhabi Airfield is built 3 kilometres southwest of Abu Dhabi. It is built to support oil exploration by Abu Dhabi Marine Areas.
Facilities include a 305-metre (1,000-foot), salt flat runway, along with a tiny sandstone terminal. There is no radar. Flights operate visually and pilots have to check the strip was clear before landing or taking off.
The airport serves mainly de Havilland Dove and Heron aircraft. The first flights are operated by the local airline Gulf Aviation, which operates a weekly flight from Doha Airport to Sharjah, using Abu Dhabi as a stopover.
Abu Dhabi Airfield's first passenger terminal. The building functioned as a small control point in which a clerk checked documents, weighed cargo and talked on the radio with incoming pilots.
Image credit: ADAC
A Gulf Aviation plane lands at Abu Dhabi's airstrip in the early 1960s. Gulf Aviation would use the airport as a stopover en route from Doha to nearby Sharjah. Image credit: David Riley via The National
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An aerial shot of Abu Dhabi in the early 1960s, taken shortly after takeoff from Abu Dhabi Airfield, which is located just outside of the image to the lower left.
Photo: David Riley via The National
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1960s: The dirt strip frequently becomes waterlogged and night flights are largely impossible. It also cannot not cope with the influx of people arriving due to the oil boom. It becomes clear a new, jet-age airport is necessary.
September 1966: Construction work begins on a new airport 7 kilometres southeast from the existing airfield, starting with a 3,200-metre (10,500-foot) runway, which is completed at the end of 1967.
Summer 1967: Work starts on the British designed-and-built passenger terminal building. Construction is completed in April of 1970.
September 1966: Construction work begins on a new airport 7 kilometres southeast from the existing airfield, starting with a 3,200-metre (10,500-foot) runway, which is completed at the end of 1967.
Summer 1967: Work starts on the British designed-and-built passenger terminal building. Construction is completed in April of 1970.
The 1970s
April 1970: Gulf Aviation launches service to London Heathrow via Bahrain, using a chartered BOAC VC10 airliner.
August 1970: The new airport opens for traffic and is called "Abu Dhabi International Airport."
August 1970: The new airport opens for traffic and is called "Abu Dhabi International Airport."
An exterior airside view of Abu Dhabi International Airport's passenger terminal, photographed sometime during the late 1970s. With its beautiful design, the structure was considered to be one of the great terminal buildings of the early Jet Age.
A 1970 aerial view of Abu Dhabi International Airport looking north. Image credit: Michael Stokes
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A closeup of the terminal, highlighting its splendid architecture. Image credit: AirportHistory.org
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1970: Abu Dhabi International Airport handles 145,015 passengers.
1 January 1974: Gulf Air, formerly Gulf Aviation becomes the flag carrier of the Emirate (now Kingdom) of Bahrain, the State of Qatar, the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the Sultanate of Oman.
1974: Abu Dhabi International Airport becomes harder to expand due to the encroaching city, soil stabilisation problems, and due to the island location being hard to reach from mainland. A decision is taken to build a new airport 30 kilometres east of Abu Dhabi.
1975: The government engages Aéroports de Paris' (now Groupe ADP) to design the new airport. The functional requirements for the airport are as follows:
- A runway long enough to handle the largest aircraft, such as the 747, at maximum take-off weight, even on the hottest days;
- A passenger terminal with an annual capacity of 3 million annual passengers and a peak hour capacity of 650 departing and 770 arriving passengers;
- A layout which caters to transit passengers, whose numbers far exceed local passengers; and
- Plenty of space to expand.
In response to the design requirements, ADP's star architect Paul Andreu, who ten years earlier designed the Paris de Gaulle's circular "Aérogare 1," comes up with the concept of two seperate buildings linked to each other; a semi-circular terminal building with check-in and baggage delivery for local passengers, and a round satellite for arrivals, departure and transit.
The two buildings are connected by a corridor that has the same "passage" function as the characteristic travelators in Charles de Gaulle's Terminal 1.
1975: Abu Dhabi International Airport handles 616,327 passengers.
June 1976: Gulf Air introduces the L-1010 Lockeed Tristar into its fleet, after which the airline starts adding destinations in Europe and the Far East, using Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, and Dubai as transfer hubs.
1978: Abu Dhabi is served by 25 airlines providing scheduled services.
The airport becomes a popular refuelling stop with airlines from Europe and Asia, including: Air France, Air India, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Lufthansa, KLM, Malaysian Airline System, Olympic Airways (Greece), Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Sabena (Belgium), Singapore Airlines, and Swissair.
1979: Construction on the new airport begins.
1 January 1974: Gulf Air, formerly Gulf Aviation becomes the flag carrier of the Emirate (now Kingdom) of Bahrain, the State of Qatar, the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the Sultanate of Oman.
1974: Abu Dhabi International Airport becomes harder to expand due to the encroaching city, soil stabilisation problems, and due to the island location being hard to reach from mainland. A decision is taken to build a new airport 30 kilometres east of Abu Dhabi.
1975: The government engages Aéroports de Paris' (now Groupe ADP) to design the new airport. The functional requirements for the airport are as follows:
- A runway long enough to handle the largest aircraft, such as the 747, at maximum take-off weight, even on the hottest days;
- A passenger terminal with an annual capacity of 3 million annual passengers and a peak hour capacity of 650 departing and 770 arriving passengers;
- A layout which caters to transit passengers, whose numbers far exceed local passengers; and
- Plenty of space to expand.
In response to the design requirements, ADP's star architect Paul Andreu, who ten years earlier designed the Paris de Gaulle's circular "Aérogare 1," comes up with the concept of two seperate buildings linked to each other; a semi-circular terminal building with check-in and baggage delivery for local passengers, and a round satellite for arrivals, departure and transit.
The two buildings are connected by a corridor that has the same "passage" function as the characteristic travelators in Charles de Gaulle's Terminal 1.
1975: Abu Dhabi International Airport handles 616,327 passengers.
June 1976: Gulf Air introduces the L-1010 Lockeed Tristar into its fleet, after which the airline starts adding destinations in Europe and the Far East, using Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, and Dubai as transfer hubs.
1978: Abu Dhabi is served by 25 airlines providing scheduled services.
The airport becomes a popular refuelling stop with airlines from Europe and Asia, including: Air France, Air India, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Lufthansa, KLM, Malaysian Airline System, Olympic Airways (Greece), Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Sabena (Belgium), Singapore Airlines, and Swissair.
1979: Construction on the new airport begins.
The 1980s
An aerial view of Abu Dhabi Airport nearing completion in 1981. Image credit: Groupe ADP
1980: Abu Dhabi International Airport handles 1.6 million passengers.
2 January 1982: The new Abu Dhabi International Airport is officially opened. The old airport's name is changed to Al Bateen airport. The airport boasts a 4,100-metre (13,450-foot) runway (13/31) and 18 kilometres of taxiways.
1983: Al Bateen becomes a military airbase, known as Bateen Air Base.
2 January 1982: The new Abu Dhabi International Airport is officially opened. The old airport's name is changed to Al Bateen airport. The airport boasts a 4,100-metre (13,450-foot) runway (13/31) and 18 kilometres of taxiways.
1983: Al Bateen becomes a military airbase, known as Bateen Air Base.
A fantastic 1982 aerial of Abu Dhabi International Airport looking west toward the city. Al Bateen Airport is visibile at the top of the image, just below the city centre. Note the complete lack of development compared to the current situation. Credit: The AirportHistory archives
A mid-1980s aerial of Abu Dhabi's passenger terminal building looking north. With 45,000 m2 of floorspace, the main terminal building features 28 check-in desks and 5 baggage handling belts. The 7,100 m2 satellite boasts 11 aircraft stands served by boarding bridge and eight remote stands. The car park can acommodate 1,600 vehicles. Image credit: ADAC
Did you know?
Before opening, the new airport was affectionately called "NADIA," which stands for "New Abu Dhabi International Airport."
GALLERY: INTERIOR VIEWS OF ABU DHABI'S TERMINAL VIEW IN 1982 (CLICK TO ENLARGE)
The 1990s
1990: Abu Dhabi International Airport handles 1.23 million passengers.
1994: Traffic reaches a record 3 million passengers. Traffic will continue to hover around the 3 million mark for the remainder of the decade.
1995: After making money for four years, Gulf Air posts a USD 159 million loss. Contributing factors are a downturn in the regional economy and very high levels of competition.
1996: Aéroport de Paris wins a design competition to expand the passenge terminal. The design envisages the expansion of the main terminal building and the construction of a second circular satellite.
Passenger capacity will be more than doubled from the current 3 million annual passengers to 6.5 million annual passengers. As a result of Gulf Air's reversed fortunes, passenger traffic stagnates and the project is cancelled.
1997: Gulf Air is more than USD 1 billion in debt, leading to more route cutbacks (including services to New York, Geneva, and Johannesburg) and the sale of 17 aircraft worth USD 850 million. This leaves a fleet of 28, six of them leased.
1994: Traffic reaches a record 3 million passengers. Traffic will continue to hover around the 3 million mark for the remainder of the decade.
1995: After making money for four years, Gulf Air posts a USD 159 million loss. Contributing factors are a downturn in the regional economy and very high levels of competition.
1996: Aéroport de Paris wins a design competition to expand the passenge terminal. The design envisages the expansion of the main terminal building and the construction of a second circular satellite.
Passenger capacity will be more than doubled from the current 3 million annual passengers to 6.5 million annual passengers. As a result of Gulf Air's reversed fortunes, passenger traffic stagnates and the project is cancelled.
1997: Gulf Air is more than USD 1 billion in debt, leading to more route cutbacks (including services to New York, Geneva, and Johannesburg) and the sale of 17 aircraft worth USD 850 million. This leaves a fleet of 28, six of them leased.
The never-built expansion plan by ADP's Paul Andreu aimed to double the capacity of the passenger terminal. Image credit: Groupe ADP
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The 2000s
2000: Abu Dhabi International Airport handles 3.68 million passengers, a growth of 4.6% year-on-year.
2002: The airport completes an expansion of the satellite terminal, which includes widening of the passenger waiting areas and the creation of extra parking stands, raising the annual handling capacity by 33% to 3.8 million annual passengers.
July 2003: future UAE president Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan issues a Royal (Amiri) Decree that establishes Etihad Airways as the national airline of the United Arab Emirates and as Abu Dhabi's home carrier.
September 2003: Abu Dhabi withdraws from the Gulf Air. The emirate of Abu Dhabi was a joint-owner of Gulf Air along with Bahrain, Qatar, and the Sultanate of Oman. Abu Dhabi International Airport was one of Gulf Air's bases and hubs from the 1970s onward.
5 November 2003: Etihad lauches services with a ceremonial flight to Al Ain. On 12 November 2003, Etihad commenced commercial operations with the launch of services to Beirut, Lebanon.
June 2004: The airline places a USD 8-billion aircraft order for Six Boeing 777-200LRs and 24 Airbus aircraft, including 10 Airbus A380s.
2004: Abu Dhabi International handles 5.21 million passengers, with traffic growing a spectacular 21.2% over the previous year.
May 2004: The Supervision Committee for the expansion of Abu Dhabi International Airport (SCADIA) is formed following an Abu Dhabi Executive Council Decision (Decision 36, Session 7/2004) issued in May 2004.
August 2005: At a cost of USD 30 million, interim Terminals 1A and Terminal 2 are opened to relieve pressure on Terminal 1, and raising capacity by 3 million annual passengers to 6.8 million passengers million annual passengers.
2002: The airport completes an expansion of the satellite terminal, which includes widening of the passenger waiting areas and the creation of extra parking stands, raising the annual handling capacity by 33% to 3.8 million annual passengers.
July 2003: future UAE president Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan issues a Royal (Amiri) Decree that establishes Etihad Airways as the national airline of the United Arab Emirates and as Abu Dhabi's home carrier.
September 2003: Abu Dhabi withdraws from the Gulf Air. The emirate of Abu Dhabi was a joint-owner of Gulf Air along with Bahrain, Qatar, and the Sultanate of Oman. Abu Dhabi International Airport was one of Gulf Air's bases and hubs from the 1970s onward.
5 November 2003: Etihad lauches services with a ceremonial flight to Al Ain. On 12 November 2003, Etihad commenced commercial operations with the launch of services to Beirut, Lebanon.
June 2004: The airline places a USD 8-billion aircraft order for Six Boeing 777-200LRs and 24 Airbus aircraft, including 10 Airbus A380s.
2004: Abu Dhabi International handles 5.21 million passengers, with traffic growing a spectacular 21.2% over the previous year.
May 2004: The Supervision Committee for the expansion of Abu Dhabi International Airport (SCADIA) is formed following an Abu Dhabi Executive Council Decision (Decision 36, Session 7/2004) issued in May 2004.
August 2005: At a cost of USD 30 million, interim Terminals 1A and Terminal 2 are opened to relieve pressure on Terminal 1, and raising capacity by 3 million annual passengers to 6.8 million passengers million annual passengers.
An exterior view of Terminal 2. At the time of opening, the terminal can handle up to two million passengers a year. Image credit: ADAC
An aerial overview of Terminal 1 in November 2005. The satellite has been expanded with gate holding lounges and the number of stands has been expanded. Note that the tails of Gulf Air have now been replaced with those of Etihad. Image credit: ADAC
2005: Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill (SOM) and Leigh Fisher complete a new Master Plan, which will cater for expansion to 40 million passengers per annum, over a 30-year planning horizon.
The plan calls for a parallel runway, a new 220,000 m2 midfield terminal, and a new air traffic control (ATC) tower, among others.
The plan calls for a parallel runway, a new 220,000 m2 midfield terminal, and a new air traffic control (ATC) tower, among others.
Besides a new runway and passenger terminal, the 2005 Master Plan also envisaged extensive new cargo areas with the potential of associated free trade zones, and abundant expansion capacity for all other sectors of airport activity. In addition, plenty of land areas were set aside for associated commercial and leisure development. Image credit: SOM
12 June 2006: Renowned architecture firm Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF) wins an international competition to design the new Midfield Terminal Building. In the coming period, the design will be detailed. At the time, ADAC expects the new terminal to open in 2010.
August 2006: All of the UAE's airports are privatised and placed under the auspices of the Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), with a share value of AED 500 million.
2006: Following Gulf Air's withdrawal from its Abu Dhabi hub, traffic for the full year declines with 3.5% to 5.29 million passengers.
2008: Al Bateen Airport, which has been under military control since 1983, becomes a civilian airport focusing on executive jets under the name Al Bateen Executive Airport.
October 2008: A second 4,100-metre (13,450-foot) runway (13L/31R) is soft-launched. It's the first runway in the UAE with CATIIIB capability, allowing landings in thick fog and adverse weather conditions.
2008: AUH's traffic grows with 30.2% to just over 9 million passengers, making it the fastest growing airport in the world.
January 2009: Terminal 3 opens at a cost of USD 270 million. Terminal 3 is also called the ‘Etihad Interim Terminal,’ and is meant to bridge the gap until the Midfield Terminal is ready.
The 75,000 m2 terminal features 20 premium check-in counters, duty free shops, restaurants and cafés. Designed by Pascall+Watson, Terminal 3 boosts passenger capacity from 7 million annual passengers to 12 million annual passengers.
August 2006: All of the UAE's airports are privatised and placed under the auspices of the Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), with a share value of AED 500 million.
2006: Following Gulf Air's withdrawal from its Abu Dhabi hub, traffic for the full year declines with 3.5% to 5.29 million passengers.
2008: Al Bateen Airport, which has been under military control since 1983, becomes a civilian airport focusing on executive jets under the name Al Bateen Executive Airport.
October 2008: A second 4,100-metre (13,450-foot) runway (13L/31R) is soft-launched. It's the first runway in the UAE with CATIIIB capability, allowing landings in thick fog and adverse weather conditions.
2008: AUH's traffic grows with 30.2% to just over 9 million passengers, making it the fastest growing airport in the world.
January 2009: Terminal 3 opens at a cost of USD 270 million. Terminal 3 is also called the ‘Etihad Interim Terminal,’ and is meant to bridge the gap until the Midfield Terminal is ready.
The 75,000 m2 terminal features 20 premium check-in counters, duty free shops, restaurants and cafés. Designed by Pascall+Watson, Terminal 3 boosts passenger capacity from 7 million annual passengers to 12 million annual passengers.
An aerial view looking northwest along Terminal's 3 boarding concourse. Terminal 3 added nine aircraft parking positions with eight boarding bridges, two of which are Airbus A380 compatible. Image credit: Choppershoot.com via ADAC
GALLERY: TERMINAL 3 EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR IMAGES (CLICK TO ENLARGE)
18 November 2009: The Abu Dhabi Airports Company officially announces it will build a midfield terminal. Designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF), Ove Arup, and NACO Netherlands Airport Consultants, the USD 6.8 billion midfield terminal is initially designed to open in phases.
Phase 1 is planned for 16.4 million annual passengers and does not include the two single-sided piers A and D. These are to constructed later. However, later on, it is decided to construct the ‘Full X’ on day one and the design of the two remaining piers will be added to the construction tender.
At the time, the construction contract for the terminal project is expected to be awarded before the end of 2009, while construction is expected to be completed by March 2015.
Phase 1 is planned for 16.4 million annual passengers and does not include the two single-sided piers A and D. These are to constructed later. However, later on, it is decided to construct the ‘Full X’ on day one and the design of the two remaining piers will be added to the construction tender.
At the time, the construction contract for the terminal project is expected to be awarded before the end of 2009, while construction is expected to be completed by March 2015.
GALLERY: MIDFIELD TERMINAL DESIGN (CLICK TO ENLARGE)
The 2010s
2010: Abu Dhabi International Airport breaks through the 10 million passengers mark, having handled 10.86 million passengers that year, a growth of 12.2% over 2009.
28 Feb 2011: Abu Dhabi Airports Company releases the General Contractor Tender for the Midfield Terminal Building
April 2011: A new 109-metre air traffic control (ATC) tower is put into operation.
28 Feb 2011: Abu Dhabi Airports Company releases the General Contractor Tender for the Midfield Terminal Building
April 2011: A new 109-metre air traffic control (ATC) tower is put into operation.
A 2013 aerial of the Air Traffic Control Complex (ATCC), looking south. The ATCC stands at 109 meters high, as the 7th tallest airport control tower in the world. The tower was designed by ADP Ingénierie. Image credit: Choppershoot.com via ADAC
September 2011: Phase I of the new cargo terminal opens The 6,000 m2 facility handles perishable goods.
November 2011: Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) completes the refurbishment and upgrading works of Terminal 1, enhancing its annual capacity to 5 million annual passengers.
The 12-month project has refurbished T1 with extra check-in and immigration counters and expanded retail and food and beverages sections. The interior look and feel now also matches that of the more recent Terminal 3.
27 June 2012: ADAC signs a AED 10.8 billion (USD 2.95 billion) contract with a joint venture of TAV-CCC-ARABTEC for the construction of the new 742,000 m2, state-of-the-art terminal Midfield Terminal Building. Some fascinating facts about the terminal:
- The MTB will accommodate up to 11,000 passengers per hour or 45 million passengers annually.
- The terminal boasts 51 contact stands, which depending on aircraft type, can acccommodate up to 65 aircraft. Eight of the gates are Airbus A380 capable. There are 14 remote stands, raising the total number of stands to 79;
- There will be 156 check-in counters and 48 self-service kiosks;
- The airline lounges area will span 30,000 m2;
- There will be 28,000 m2 of retail and food & beverage space;
- The baggage handling system will be capable of processing over 19,000 bags per hour, with a conveyor system spanning 27 kilometres in length; and
- The MTB boasts 145 lifts and 46 travelators.
Construction is scheduled to start in the fall of 2012 and finished in the first half of 2017.
6 August, 2013: The airport opens the new Arrivals Hall on the lower level of T1 and T3. Travellers are now able to access parking, taxis and limousines just 20 meters away from the customs lounge through the new tunnel that is now completed and connecting the customs area with new Arrivals Hall, versus the previous distance of 140 meters.
November 2011: Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) completes the refurbishment and upgrading works of Terminal 1, enhancing its annual capacity to 5 million annual passengers.
The 12-month project has refurbished T1 with extra check-in and immigration counters and expanded retail and food and beverages sections. The interior look and feel now also matches that of the more recent Terminal 3.
27 June 2012: ADAC signs a AED 10.8 billion (USD 2.95 billion) contract with a joint venture of TAV-CCC-ARABTEC for the construction of the new 742,000 m2, state-of-the-art terminal Midfield Terminal Building. Some fascinating facts about the terminal:
- The MTB will accommodate up to 11,000 passengers per hour or 45 million passengers annually.
- The terminal boasts 51 contact stands, which depending on aircraft type, can acccommodate up to 65 aircraft. Eight of the gates are Airbus A380 capable. There are 14 remote stands, raising the total number of stands to 79;
- There will be 156 check-in counters and 48 self-service kiosks;
- The airline lounges area will span 30,000 m2;
- There will be 28,000 m2 of retail and food & beverage space;
- The baggage handling system will be capable of processing over 19,000 bags per hour, with a conveyor system spanning 27 kilometres in length; and
- The MTB boasts 145 lifts and 46 travelators.
Construction is scheduled to start in the fall of 2012 and finished in the first half of 2017.
6 August, 2013: The airport opens the new Arrivals Hall on the lower level of T1 and T3. Travellers are now able to access parking, taxis and limousines just 20 meters away from the customs lounge through the new tunnel that is now completed and connecting the customs area with new Arrivals Hall, versus the previous distance of 140 meters.
An exterior view of the Arrivals Hall. Image credit: ADAC
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An interior view of the Arrivals Hall. Image credit: ADAC
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November 2013: Etihad Airways makes the largest aircraft order in its history, with orders, options and purchase rights for up to 199 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, valued at up to USD 67 billion.
2013: Abu Dhabi International Airport handles 16.53 million passengers, a growth of 12.4% over 2012.
2013: Abu Dhabi International Airport handles 16.53 million passengers, a growth of 12.4% over 2012.
A 2013 aerial view looking north, with the old Terminal 1 to the right and the newer Terminal 3 to the right. Construction on the Middfield Terminal Building (MTB) is underway in the top left of he image. Image credit: Choppershoot.com via ADAC
26 January 2014: Abu Dhabi International Airport becomes the first airport in Middle East to offer United States border preclearance facilities. Passengers on direct flights to the United States are processed for entry before they board their flight so that when they arrive in the U.S. they are treated as domestic arrivals.
November 2014: A new 900 m2 VIP terminal opens. All passengers, regardless of their ticket class or destination and airline, can use the terminal by paying a pre-set fee.
Facilities include a dedicated drop-off area accessible via a purpose-built roadway; Mercedes Benz limousine services for ferrying passengers between the terminal and aircraft; and separate immigration, police and baggage handling services.
December 2014: The southern runway reopens after having been refurbished. The upgrade included the refurbishment and widening of the runway, elevating it to Code “F” standard to accommodate every type of commercial aircraft in the world.
In addition to the Southern Runway renovation, the Southern Airfield Programme includes the construction of an airside road tunnel underneath the Southern Runway 1.2 kilometres in length and 40 metres wide. The tunnel enables uninterrupted connectivity between the Terminal A and existing Terminals 1 and 3.
27 December 2014: Etihad launches A380 service. On Saturday at 02:35, Flight EY11 takes off bound for London Heathrow.
2014: AUH almost reaches the 20 million passenger mark, having handled 19.87 passengers that year, a growth of 20.2% over 2013.
November 2014: A new 900 m2 VIP terminal opens. All passengers, regardless of their ticket class or destination and airline, can use the terminal by paying a pre-set fee.
Facilities include a dedicated drop-off area accessible via a purpose-built roadway; Mercedes Benz limousine services for ferrying passengers between the terminal and aircraft; and separate immigration, police and baggage handling services.
December 2014: The southern runway reopens after having been refurbished. The upgrade included the refurbishment and widening of the runway, elevating it to Code “F” standard to accommodate every type of commercial aircraft in the world.
In addition to the Southern Runway renovation, the Southern Airfield Programme includes the construction of an airside road tunnel underneath the Southern Runway 1.2 kilometres in length and 40 metres wide. The tunnel enables uninterrupted connectivity between the Terminal A and existing Terminals 1 and 3.
27 December 2014: Etihad launches A380 service. On Saturday at 02:35, Flight EY11 takes off bound for London Heathrow.
2014: AUH almost reaches the 20 million passenger mark, having handled 19.87 passengers that year, a growth of 20.2% over 2013.
GALLERY: CONSTRUCTION OF THE MIDFIELD TERMINAL BUILDING
VIDEO: A JANUARY 2017 CONSTRUCTION FLYOVER
24 March 2015: ADAC completes the expansion of Terminal 1. Improvements include:
- The installation of 350 metres of new walkways directly linking the gates to the immigration halls, thereby separating arrivals from departures;
- A new transfer security checkpoint in T1;
- 16 brand new state of the art X-Ray screening machines, capable of processing 2,000 transfer passengers per hour;
- Nine 9 new Code E aircraft (Boeing 747, 777) stands; and
- New bus arrival gates.
- The installation of 350 metres of new walkways directly linking the gates to the immigration halls, thereby separating arrivals from departures;
- A new transfer security checkpoint in T1;
- 16 brand new state of the art X-Ray screening machines, capable of processing 2,000 transfer passengers per hour;
- Nine 9 new Code E aircraft (Boeing 747, 777) stands; and
- New bus arrival gates.
An aerial view of Terminal 1 after completion of the expansion project. A 350-metre long corridor provides arriving passengers direct access to immigration. Image credit: ADAC
GALLERY: TERMINAL 1 TODAY (CLICK TO ENLARGE)
2016: Passenger traffic reaches a peak with 24.48 million passengers, a growth of 5.1 over the previous years. In the ensuing years, traffic declines due to the reversing fortunes of home carrier Etihad.
March 2017: It is announced that the completion of the Midfield Terminal is delayed by two years.
June 2017: Etihad faces mounting losses from its investments in Air Berlin and Alitalia. For the full year, Etihad reports a loss of USD 1.873 billion.
June 2018: Etihad reported a net loss of USD 1.52 billion for 2017.
February 2019: Etihad announced large order cancellations for both Airbus and Boeing aircraft. The airline terminated contracts for all 42 Airbus A350-900s, 2 A350-1000s and 19 of 24 ordered Boeing 777X.
2019: In the last year before the Covid pandemic, Abu Dhabi International Airport handles 21.29 passengers, a decline of 0.7% over the previous year.
March 2017: It is announced that the completion of the Midfield Terminal is delayed by two years.
June 2017: Etihad faces mounting losses from its investments in Air Berlin and Alitalia. For the full year, Etihad reports a loss of USD 1.873 billion.
June 2018: Etihad reported a net loss of USD 1.52 billion for 2017.
February 2019: Etihad announced large order cancellations for both Airbus and Boeing aircraft. The airline terminated contracts for all 42 Airbus A350-900s, 2 A350-1000s and 19 of 24 ordered Boeing 777X.
2019: In the last year before the Covid pandemic, Abu Dhabi International Airport handles 21.29 passengers, a decline of 0.7% over the previous year.
A 2014 apron view. By the late 2010s Etihad's aggresive expansion strategy backfires, leading to massive losses and cancellation of aircraft orders. After reaching a peak of 24.48 million passengers in 2016, traffic starts to decline. Image credit: ADAC
The 2020s
16 March 2020: Terminal 2 is closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting traffic downturn.
2020: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, traffic drops to 5,66 million passengers, a decline of 73.4% over the previous year.
July 2021: Abu Dhabi Airports Company cancels the contract with the consortium that is constructing the USD 2.94 billion terminal, due to cost overruns and the bankruptcy of one of the consortium partners, Arabtec.
2 January 2022: Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) celebrates its 40th anniversary.
May 2022: Terminal 2 is reopened.
2020: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, traffic drops to 5,66 million passengers, a decline of 73.4% over the previous year.
July 2021: Abu Dhabi Airports Company cancels the contract with the consortium that is constructing the USD 2.94 billion terminal, due to cost overruns and the bankruptcy of one of the consortium partners, Arabtec.
2 January 2022: Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) celebrates its 40th anniversary.
May 2022: Terminal 2 is reopened.
A fantastic 2018 aerial overview of Abu Dhabi International Airport, with basic construction of the Midfield Terminal having been completed. Terminals 1, 2, and 3 are visible to the upper right of the image.
22 Augustus 2022: Al Bateen Executive Airport is reopened after the successful rehabilitation, which involved the resurfacing and widening of the existing 3,200-metre runway to accommodate wide-body aircraft, in addition to a substantial new boundary wall, upgraded ground lighting, enhanced signage and landscape.
Another major part of the work completed is the upgrade and the refurbishment of the airfield ground lighting at Al Bateen Executive Airport, authorising the airport to operate code 4D aircraft.
2022: Abu Dhabi International welcomes 15.54 million passengers , recovering 73.6% of the pre-pandemic 2019 level, Abu Dhabi Airports has reported. The number more than triples the 5.26 million served in 2021 (+202%).
25 January 2023: Momberger Airport Information, an authoritative airport development newsletter, reveals that the Midfield Terminal Building will be opened toward the end of the year. The date of 2 December, Abu Dhabi's national day is mentioned.
27 April 2023: Etihad Airways announces that it aims to triple the number of passengers it carriers to 30 million and nearly double its fleet to 150 planes by the end of the decade.
Etihad's plans come amid a shift in its strategy to focus on medium to long-haul destinations, moving away from operating ultra long-haul flights where competition is intense and profitability challenging.
31 August 2023: The Abu Dhabi Airports Company announces that the Midfield Terminal Building, now renamed Terminal A, will open in early November 2023.
Another major part of the work completed is the upgrade and the refurbishment of the airfield ground lighting at Al Bateen Executive Airport, authorising the airport to operate code 4D aircraft.
2022: Abu Dhabi International welcomes 15.54 million passengers , recovering 73.6% of the pre-pandemic 2019 level, Abu Dhabi Airports has reported. The number more than triples the 5.26 million served in 2021 (+202%).
25 January 2023: Momberger Airport Information, an authoritative airport development newsletter, reveals that the Midfield Terminal Building will be opened toward the end of the year. The date of 2 December, Abu Dhabi's national day is mentioned.
27 April 2023: Etihad Airways announces that it aims to triple the number of passengers it carriers to 30 million and nearly double its fleet to 150 planes by the end of the decade.
Etihad's plans come amid a shift in its strategy to focus on medium to long-haul destinations, moving away from operating ultra long-haul flights where competition is intense and profitability challenging.
31 August 2023: The Abu Dhabi Airports Company announces that the Midfield Terminal Building, now renamed Terminal A, will open in early November 2023.
An exterior view of the completed Midfield Terminal Building, now renamed Terminal A. Image credit: ADAC
A glimpse of Terminal A's interior, taken during trial operations in 2023. Image credit: ADAC
The future
Future developments: After the opening of Terminal A, Terminals 1 and 2 will be permanently closed, while Terminal 3 will be mothballed. It could be re-opened later on if necessary, for example as a remote boarding concourse or as a low-cost terminal.
With an annual capacity of 45 million annual passengers, Terminal A will be able to accommodate traffic growth for many years to come. However, if needed, Terminal A can be expanded with a satellite boarding concourse southwest of Terminal A. A tunnel, which can accommodate an automated people mover (APM), has already been built.
To be continued!
With an annual capacity of 45 million annual passengers, Terminal A will be able to accommodate traffic growth for many years to come. However, if needed, Terminal A can be expanded with a satellite boarding concourse southwest of Terminal A. A tunnel, which can accommodate an automated people mover (APM), has already been built.
To be continued!
We hope you enjoyed our little tribute to the airports of Abu Dhabi! Did you travel through Abu Dhabi recently or way back when? Share your experience in the comments below!
I would like to thank ADAC for supplying the images as well as Michael Stokes for contributing his knowledge about Gulf Aviation/Gulf Air, Al Bateen Airport, and Abu Dhabi Airfield.
For more airport articles: click here
OTHER RESOURCES:
- Abu Dhabi International Airport official website
- Abu Dhabi International Airport Wikipedia page
- Al Bateen Executive Airport official website
- Al Bateen Executive Airport Wikipedia page
- Abu Dhabi International Airport official website
- Abu Dhabi International Airport Wikipedia page
- Al Bateen Executive Airport official website
- Al Bateen Executive Airport Wikipedia page
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