Abu Dhabi Airports Chief Executive Brian Thompson said that 97 per cent of the construction work has been completed at the new Abu Dhabi International Airport, which has a capacity of 45 million passengers.
`` Final tests and inspections of the airport's operational systems and travel experiences are currently being conducted to verify the efficiency of the various airport operations in preparation for its opening, '' he said at a press conference on the sidelines of the two-day Airport Exchange 2019.
Thompson noted that the new airport, which covers an area of 742,000 square meters, aims to keep pace with the growth requirements of Etihad Airways and the operation of «Air Abu Dhabi», adding that the airlines that use the current Abu Dhabi airport, will move to the new airport, and the company is seeking to sign Agreements with more companies to use the new airport.
He pointed out that the current Abu Dhabi airport will remain operational, after the opening of the new airport, and is under agreement with a number of companies to continue their operations through it, pointing out that the Center for Pre-Checking Passports and Customs of the United States at Abu Dhabi Airport, will continue to work at the current airport, after the opening The new airport.
Thompson stressed that Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, the first low-cost low-cost carrier, will begin flights from Abu Dhabi by the end of the first half of next year, adding that the airline could start operations from the current Abu Dhabi airport if the new airport does not open.
On the number of passengers from Abu Dhabi International Airport this year, Thompson said that «is expected to witness a slight decrease in the number of airport users this year, to 21.5 million passengers, compared to 21.6 million passengers last year, due to what he described the slowdown Travel in the first half of this year, while the second half of the year saw a relative increase in airport travel. He pointed out that «Abu Dhabi Airports» signed a memorandum of understanding on the sidelines of the airport exchange exhibition and conference, which started yesterday, with the airports company in Romania, during which it was agreed to provide consultancy and experts in the field of airports for six airports in Romania.
Ahmed Al Shamsi, Acting Chief Operating Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports, said that the airport will have an area of 27,500 square meters dedicated to passenger lounges, restaurants and cafes on an area of 12,150 meters.