Building Abu Dhabi's new Dh10bn airport terminal starts this year

Construction of Abu Dhabi International Airport's new Midfield Terminal will start in the third quarter of this year, confirms Arabtec as it formally signs contract.

An artist's rendering of the Midfield Terminal. WAM
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Building at Abu Dhabi International Airport's new Midfield Terminal will start in the third quarter of this year.

The news was confirmed yesterday at the formal signing of the Dh10.8 billion (US$2.94bn) contract for the project.

The 700,000 square metre terminal is one of a number of major infrastructure projects planned in the capital as part of the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030.

It will be built for the Abu Dhabi Airport Company (Adac) by a joint-venture company, created by the Turkish construction group TAV, Consolidated Contractors' Company, headquartered in Greece, and the UAE's Arabtec. The Midfield Terminal is the cornerstone of Adac's efforts to become a world-leading airport group and is due to open in 2017.

"Abu Dhabi Airports Company is looking ahead to an exciting five years of growth focusing on increasing traffic at Abu Dhabi International Airport and on expanding the airport's infrastructure to support this growth," said Ali Al Mansoori, the chairman of Adac.

"Leading and supervising the delivery of this mega-infrastructure, whilst managing one of the fastest-growing airports in the world, is a defining responsibility for the team - a responsibility central to Adac's commitment to provide the best for Abu Dhabi, travellers and airlines."

The project will include extensive development of the area surrounding the new terminal, with the construction of aircraft parking stands, terminal roadways and infrastructure connecting the terminal to the main highway linking Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

"Adac is playing a key strategic and operational role in ensuring that Abu Dhabi's integrated infrastructure system across air, rail, road and sea has sufficient capacity to cater to the increasing numbers of travellers expected as part of the emirate's long-term economic and tourism strategies," said an Adac spokesman.

The international architecture company Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, which designed the new terminal, said its focus was on passenger experience and environmental impact.

The terminal will include high-performance angled glass to reduce heat and increase air-conditioning efficiency.

The building will be constructed using approximately 69,000 tonnes of steel, more than 680,000 cubic metres of concrete, nearly 500,000 square metres of steel and glass cladding and 325,000 square metres of natural stone flooring

Duty-free retail will include high-end commercial offerings across more than 18,000 square metres, featuring global luxury brands and designer outlets and almost 10,000 square metres of international restaurants and cafes, offering a wide range of styles and cuisines.

Passenger facilities will also include more than 27,500 square metres of airline hospitality lounges, a transit hotel and a heritage and culture museum.

The terminal is designed to accommodate up to 65 aircraft. Inside the building, the check-in area will be capable of handling about 8,500 passengers per hour through 165 counters and 48 self-service kiosks. The baggage system is designed to process more than 19,000 bags per hour.

There will be 136 security screening lanes for passengers, with a further 25 for staff.

Construction is expected to be completed in four years, followed by a nine-month assessment period of all of the terminal's operations.

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