Abu Dhabi International Airport delivers the Best Staff Service for Airports in the Middle East

1. ABU DHABI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Abu Dhabi International Airport is the gateway to the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The airport is an award-winning facility that is increasingly being recognized as the airport of choice offering passengers a unique combination of functional advantages and convivial travel experience. A host of initiatives recently introduced are confirming the airport’s image as a passenger centric facility. That image will certainly be further consolidated as the new state-of-the art facilities under the ambitious US$6.8 million expansion programme come on line. Located 32km from the heart of Abu Dhabi city, the airport is built over an area of 350,000 square metre. The airport operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Abu Dhabi International Airport’s new terminal three (T3) serves as base to Etihad Airways, the flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates. T3 was opened in early 2009, raising the airport capacity to 12 million passengers per annum. Following the Terminal’s opening in early 2009, ADAC and Etihad worked on implementing the transition of the majority of Etihad flights from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3. This allowed the smooth transition for all passengers, as well as the ability to monitor and confirm safety and security measures and ensure its award- winning security standards are met. To meet further growing demand, ADAC has begun development work on a major new passenger terminal, to be situated between the two parallel runways and known as the Midfield Terminal Complex (MTC). The construction of the Midfield Terminal is a key element of the broader Midfield Complex, which will include cargo and catering facilities, utilities and related infrastructure. In its first year of operation, the planned capacity of this facility is expected to reach 20 million passengers, gradually increasing to 40 million passengers per annum.

2. MUSCAT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

The proposed new terminal at Muscat International Airport would be completed by 2014 and have the capacity to handle 12 million passengers annually. Further expansions planned in three subsequent phases will ultimately boost the airport’ capacity to 48 million passengers by 2050. The project program is to have the new control tower and second runway completed and operational by the end of 2013, and the passenger terminal and other buildings by the end of 2014. The new Muscat International Airport would feature a new passenger terminal building with 32 boarding air bridges, a second runway, control tower, cargo terminal to handle 200,000 tons of cargo annually and a car parking capacity for 6,000 cars. The passenger terminal, a grandiose structure incorporating a blend of modern international class airport design elements and Omani traditional motifs, will be built between the two parallel runways. The new terminal building will have a net floor area of 290,000 sqm and a capacity for 12 million passengers a year. Shopping arcades, restaurants, cafes, elegant lounges, and an 80 bed airside hotel for transfer passengers are also envisaged. The airport will also feature a 101 meter high control tower and a new Air Traffic Management Centre.

3. DUBAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Dubai International registered another record year with the airport’s 2010 passenger traffic reaching an historic 47.2 million, up 15.3 per cent over 40.9 million in 2009 and 2.4 per cent more than the 46.1 million originally projected for the year. According to the annual traffic report issued today by Dubai Airports, December passenger numbers reached 4.2 million, an increase of 11.6 per cent compared to 3.8 million recorded during the same month in 2009. In terms of monthly traffic, the airport crossed the four million mark for the third consecutive month in December, and for the fourth time in 2010. HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Airports, attributed Dubai International’s continued success to Dubai’s progressive aviation model. "The key to our success has been our coordinated and supportive approach to aviation,” said Sheikh Ahmed. “Dubai has a model, unlike Europe and elsewhere, that recognises aviation’s strategic importance and promotes growth in the sector. It starts with an open skies policy, competitive rates and a tax-free environment that has attracted over 130 airlines to Dubai and extends to strategic investments in top-flight aviation infrastructure that promote high service standards and sustain rapid growth. This combined with our geocentric location, which can effectively connect any two major cities in the world, will drive further expansion and continued benefits to consumers across the globe."

Best Airport and Airport Hotel winners include

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