Additional projects at Abu Dhabi airport gets government approval

In line with the current construction of the Midfield Terminal Building (MTB) set to open in July 2017, the three projects are essential to increase the current and future capacity of the anticipated growth of passengers and aircraft movements through Abu Dhabi International Airport, the operator ADAC said. At a total cost of $450 million, the new projects include additional aircraft hard stands, a new Automated Passenger Mobility (APM) system and an airside road tunnel under the southern runway.
With the goal of providing the highest levels of service, the plans to enhance and develop the currrent infrastructure of the airport are a result of the monitoring and studying of the constant growth of passengers as well as the alignment with national carrier Etihad Airways’ growth strategy.
Passenger traffic forecasts updated in 2013 show a 30% increase in passenger numbers by the time the MTB opens in 2017, compared to 2011 forecasts. This is as a result of Etihad Airways’ accelerated growth plans. To support this growth, ADAC said it is essential to develop the current infrastruture and facilities by adding nine new hard stands, a southern runway tunnel, and develop the APM system.
The approved projects include the addition of nine new hard stands suitable for wide-body aircraft that are registering an increase at the capital’s airport. Construction of the new hard stands has already begun, and they will go into operation gradually from the fourth quarter of this year.
The approved Automated Passenger Mobility (APM) project is designed to connect passengers between the MTB and its future satellite terminals. According to the forecasted growth reports, new terminal buildings will be needed to add to the airport’s capacity a few years after the opening of the MTB. Hence, Abu Dhabi Airports has foreseen the practicality of building the APM as of now, during the current construction of the MTB, rather than interrupting its operations after it opens in 2017.
The southern runway tunnel will connect the MTB to the existing terminals, which will add to the efficiency of operating all airport terminals at full capacity. Construction works will begin immediately to benefit from the current closure of the southern runway, which was closed for upgrades and widening works which began in January this year. The new tunnel will stretch over 720 meters in length and 38 to 46 meters in width.