New terminal set to open soon at Abu Dhabi International

The new terminal can handle 12-million passengers and will be primarily used by Etihad. 

Airport operator ADAC recorded a 30.2% growth in passenger numbers in 2008 by handling 9.02 million passengers as compared to 6.9 million in 2007.
Movements were also on the up and saw a 13.2% increase up to 93,163 (2008) over 82,287 (2007). While cargo in December 2008 saw a slight decline over December 2007.  Yet, cargo movements over the year saw a steady 12.2% increase in 2008.

"ADAC is absolutely delighted to have crossed another historic milestone and passed the nine million a year passenger figure," says HE Khalifa Al Mazrouei, chairman.

"We are grateful for the ever increasing number of passengers who, quite clearly, are looking to Abu Dhabi as an airport of choice in the UAE and region. In achieving this milestone Etihad Airways, the National Carrier of the UAE, must be recognised for the commitment the airline is making to increase connectivity and frequencies to and from the UAE capital. In addition I would like to thank the increasing number of partner airlines that are continuing to choose Abu Dhabi as a regional and international hub together with our longstanding customer airlines, particularly those who have increased their services to Abu Dhabi and have been improving their connectivity.

"Of course, our success is also testament to the hard work that all our staff and the related agencies at the airport put in on a daily basis – especially when you consider that the airport continues to undergo rapid year-on-year expansion," adds Al Mazrouei.

ADAC says the top five most popular city destinations travelled to, from Abu Dhabi, in December 2008 were announced as: Doha (first), London, Cairo, Bangkok and Bahrain.
 

How Terminal 3 will look when it opens this year