ADAC is currently considering bids from six consortia for the construction of the new Midfield Terminal Complex, which is due to go live in 2017.
The project to upgrade Abu Dhabi International Airport’s Terminal 1 was completed in early November following 10 months of work. At the heart of the project was Abu Dhabi Airports Company’s (ADAC) desire to offer the best possible passenger experience and bring the facility in line with Terminal 3, which opened in 2009.
In total, the extension of the terminal has seen it expanded to cover an area of 23,000sqm, the number of check-in counters has been increased to 53, additional immigration counters have increased the total number to 16 in departures and 18 in arrivals, while three arrivals e-gates for automatic processing are in place. Each of these upgrades has contributed to an increase in the overall Terminal 1 capacity to 5 million annual passengers.
Passengers travelling through Abu Dhabi International Airport’s T1 now have a choice of 27 retail and F&B outlets.
“At Abu Dhabi Airports Company, we are constantly striving to elevate the travel experience and ensure clients, whether passengers or airlines, enjoy a unique journey,” said Eng. Ahmed Al Haddabi, Chief Operating Officer, ADAC. “Driven from this ambition, T1 underwent a thorough and carefully designed upgrade plan to bring it in line with Terminal 3, and ensure that customers using any part of Abu Dhabi International Airport will have a refreshing and efficient start or end to their journey.”
As part of the refurbishment, the retail and food and beverage (F&B) facilities have also been subject to investment with new units added and the layout improved to enhance the journey for the passenger. Passengers now have a choice of 27 outlets, while the airport hotel and hospitality lounges have also been extensively renovated.
Elsewhere in the terminal, wayfinding has been improved, additional seating and improved air conditioning has been installed, while the lighting in the terminal has been enhanced.
Haddabi: “T1 underwent a thorough and carefully designed upgrade plan to bring it in line with Terminal 3, and ensure that customers using any part of Abu Dhabi International Airport will have a refreshing and efficient start or end to their journey.”
ADAC has also embraced self-service and Terminal 1 now includes 10 self-service check-in kiosks, in addition to the eight in Terminal 3, while offsite check-in is available in three locations: City Check-in at Abu Dhabi City, Expo Check-in at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, and self-service kiosks at Park Rotana Hotel.
Continuous growth
This upgrade to Terminal 1 – which has been in operation for almost 30 years – is part of the wider Capacity Enhancement Program 2012, which is ADAC’s interim solution to cater for the anticipated traffic growth in the Emirate and the region, whilst the new Midfield Terminal Complex is under construction. Once complete in 2017, the new terminal will offer a long-term solution to the rapid rate of growth, increasing the overall capacity to 27-30 million passengers.
Dubai International Airport chooses CEM Systems
CEM Systems, part of Tyco Security Products, has been awarded the contract to secure the new Concourse 3 at Terminal 3 in Dubai International Airport. The industry-renowned CEM AC2000 security management system will be installed to ensure the highest level of security.
Concourse 3, which will take a similar shape to Concourse 2, is predicted to handle 15 million passengers annually. It is being constructed to accommodate 20 aircraft stands, of which 18 will be exclusively for use by the Airbus A380-800, and the remaining 2 for the Boeing 777.
“Being awarded the contract to secure Dubai International Airport is a significant win for CEM in the Middle East,” said Philip Verner, regional sales director EMEA, CEM Systems. “Dubai International Airport joins some of the world’s most prestigious aviation sites by selecting the CEM AC2000 system to secure Concourse 3, Terminal 3.”
Work on Concourse 3 began in 2008 and it is expected to open in 2012. It is reported this is part of a much wider multi-billion dollar programme to upgrade and extend Dubai International Airport, making it one of the world’s largest airports by 2025.
Visit CEM Systems at Airport Exchange 2011, ADNEC, Abu Dhabi, 29-30 November, Stand 2 where CEM will showcase its leading integrated access control security solutions. On display will be CEM AC2000 AE (Airport Edition), the industry’s only airport specific access control solution, and CEM’s advanced range of hardware products and solutions for airports.
The airport’s performance in Q3 2011 epitomises the positive passenger forecast for the region. Between July and September, 3.3 million passengers passed through Abu Dhabi International Airport – a 15% increase on the same period in 2010. For the first time in the airport’s history, passenger numbers surpassed 1 million for three consecutive months, with September traffic alone showing a 17.1% increase compared to September 2010.
Cargo volumes presented equally positive results, with the three-month period showing an increase of 7%, and the month of September again the standout performer with a 10.8% rise.
“The passenger activity increases at Abu Dhabi International Airport are certainly a positive economic indicator for the UAE (United Arab Emirates) and the region,” Al Haddabi said. “It is especially encouraging that we are seeing sustained growth throughout the year. We are thrilled with the positive passenger activity results of the third quarter of this year and it is clear that both business and leisure travellers are choosing Abu Dhabi International more and more as their portal to the world.”
The year-to-date figures also make for positive reading for ADAC. In comparison to 2010, between January and September this year, passenger throughput increased by 13% overall to more than 9 million.
Midfield Terminal Complex
Haddabi: “The passenger activity increases at Abu Dhabi International Airport are certainly a positive economic indicator for the UAE and the region.”
Following the completion of Terminal 3 in 2009 and the recently completed refurbishment of Terminal 1, the next stage of the ADAC master plan is focused on the construction of a brand new Midfield Terminal Complex, which is due to become operational in 2017.
This project is key to the airport’s long-term growth strategy and ADAC is currently considering bids from six consortia for the AED11.7 billion (€2.36 billion) project.
Al Habtoor-Murray & Roberts, Bechtel-Al Jaber, Hyundai Engineering & Construction-Kumho, Larsen & Toubro-NPC, Samsung-ACC and TAV-CCC have all submitted bids to construct the 700,000sqm terminal, on which construction work is expected to commence in Q2 2012.
Recent baggage handling system projects have been successfully completed by Vanderlande in Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Yemen, Oman, Syria, Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Cyprus, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria and Libya.
Vanderlande’s proven reputation for baggage handling systems
With a long-established local presence in the Middle East and surrounding countries and a track record of numerous successful projects, Vanderlande Industries has a proven reputation as a reliable partner for baggage handling solutions.
The partnership starts with the design and turnkey delivery of a state-of-the-art baggage handling system. But it also includes performance monitoring by smart software solutions, continuous support in identifying possible process or system improvements, and maintenance right through the system life-cycle, even including where necessary a 24/7 on-site presence. This complete range of services and support forms the basis for the long-term relationships between Vanderlande and many airports throughout the region. Vanderlande Industries is also the only total OEM supplier (original equipment manufacturer), with its own design and manufacturing, and own software.
Recent baggage handling system projects have been successfully completed by Vanderlande in the Middle East region: Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Yemen, Oman, Syria, Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Cyprus, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria and Libya. And recently two major orders were received: The government of Oman awarded Vanderlande the contract to provide the baggage handling systems for both Muscat International and Salalah airports. Vanderlande Industries has also been awarded the contract to supply and install the baggage handling system for the new terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Further strengthening its presence in the Middle East, Vanderlande opened a regional office in Dubai. From this office the company is able to offer a more rapid and direct response towards its customers in the region, and to extend its service capabilities at local level.
The ongoing investment, along with the positive passenger and cargo growth forecasts and the continued expansion of home carrier Etihad Airways, highlight the significant potential of Abu Dhabi International Airport as a gateway to the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the wider region. With the sharp rise in passenger traffic set to fulfil the existing capacity in the short-term, the addition of the Midfield Terminal Complex in just over five years time will be a key milestone in helping ADAC achieve its goal of establishing Abu Dhabi International Airport as a world-class global hub.
