T3 boosts Abu Dhabi airport capacity to 12m

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SOARING HIGH: Abu Dhabi airport reported a six percent increase in passenger traffic for February. (Getty Images - fior illustrative purposes only)

Abu Dhabi International Airport is now ready to handle 12 million annual passengers after Terminal 3 became fully operational on Tuesday.

Airport operator Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) said most Etihad Airways flights had been transferred from Terminal 1 to T3, which has capacity for five million passengers a year.

The terminal was opened in stages, starting in last year’s fourth quarter. Since then, T3’s facilities have undergone rigorous testing and technical assessments, according to ADAC.

“The opening of the new Terminal 3 holds great significance not only for the airport and Etihad’s passengers but also for Abu Dhabi as a world class centre for investment, tourism and commerce,” said ADAC chairman Khalifa Mohamed Al Mazrouei.

“We consider Abu Dhabi’s international airport as a gateway to the region and the world, and the first point of contact with tourists, businessmen, and transit passengers from all over the world.”

He added the terminal would act as a short-term stop gap for increased passenger demand in the coming years.

While global passenger demand has dropped since 2008, Al Mazrouei said he expected Abu Dhabi airport’s annual traveller numbers to eventually reach 20 million when the airport’s new Midfield Terminal Complex is built.

Abu Dhabi airport reported a six percent increase in passenger traffic for February. The rise in demand mostly came from India, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

The new 88.000 sq m terminal has 10 departure gates and 19 retail outlets, including Hermès, Cartier, Rolex and Jimmy Choo.

“It is very pleasing to have a home-base that compliments the impressive growth of Etihad Airways,” said the airline’s chief executive James Hogan. “And during the coming years, when we take delivery of more aircraft and increase our passenger numbers, Terminal 3 will play an important part of our strategy.”

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