Abu Dhabi International Airport At the heart of our business is the importance we place on the experiences of the travelers passing through our terminals.

Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) is the second largest airport in the UAE and one of the fastest growing aviation hubs in the world. Helping to connect people and places is what we do best. As a base for over 30 airlines currently flying to and from more than 100 destinations, in over 50 countries, our objective is to make passenger journeys smoother, safer and more enjoyable. By adopting the latest technological advancements, upholding the strictest international safety standards and never forgetting the importance of warmth and service, we know this is achievable.

Located in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, and operated by Abu Dhabi Airports since 2006, AUH runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Passenger numbers at AUH reached over 23 million in 2015, and that figure is expected to rise to over 45 million in the coming decade.

Large-scale, considered growth

Abu Dhabi Airports is carrying out a number of major initiatives at AUH aimed at increasing capacity, enhancing passenger experience and establishing the airport as world-class transit hub.

One of the main projects currently under construction is the Midfield Terminal Building (MTB), which will increase the airport’s overall capacity to 45 million passengers a year. This state-of-the-art structure is designed to serve as the primary gateway for the national carrier, Etihad Airways, and its codeshare and equity partners. It is being constructed between the airport’s two runways, allowing for the shortest possible journey from runway to parking stand. The new terminal will include passenger and cargo facilities, duty free shops, restaurants and a transit hotel.

Completed infrastructure projects include the re-development of the existing terminals, which involved 350 meters of new linking walkways from arrival gates to immigration in Terminal 1, new bus stands, 16 new X-Ray machines in Terminal 3, additional aircraft hard stands and new access roads around the airport. All were designed to significantly enhance the efficiency, ease and enjoyment with which passengers can move through the airport.

The last quarter in 2014 saw the launch of the luxurious VIP terminal, complete with its own dedicated facilities, such as drop-off and immigration. Guests can relax and revitalize in the privacy of one of seven Royal Majlis, with a fusion of Arabian and European design, equipped with state-of-the-art audio visual systems.

The very end of 2014 saw the re-opening of the Southern Runway, which had been upgraded to accommodate all commercial aircraft, including the A380. The renovations of the runway also involved the construction of an airside road tunnel which will connect the MTB and Terminals 1 and 3.

In addition to these major infrastructure upgrades, Abu Dhabi Airports has recently implemented several innovative projects that combine the latest advances in technology and design. In February 2016, AUH became the first airport in the region to automate all passenger processes from check-in to aircraft boarding, with its Smart Travel system, allowing travelers to complete all their airport procedures interacting only with cutting-edge technology. This pioneering system consists of self-check-in and baggage drop facilities, automated passport control gates equipped with biometric verification functions and facial recognition technology, and smart boarding gates.

Passengers can also use two remote check-in facilities located in the downtown area of Abu Dhabi, and two self-check-in kiosks in Park Rotana and Crowne Plaza Yas Hotels.

A passenger-centred perspective

We have received numerous international accolades over the years.

In March 2016, AUH won the ‘Airport of the Year’ award at the Air Transport News Awards, in the 10-30 million passengers category. It was also rated the seventh best airport in the world by Skytrax World Airports Awards, in the 20-30 million passengers per year category, and was awarded the ISO 22301 Management System Certificate, making it the first airport in the region to be certified for Business Continuity Management.

AUH was rated as a 4 star airport for the second year in a row in 2015 by Airport Council International (ACI), placing it once again among the top global airports, and it was named ACI’s “Best Airport for the Middle East region” the year before, as a result of the airport’s ranking in the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) survey results — a key benchmark for customer service in the global airports’ industry.

Committed to delivering the highest levels of passenger safety

In January 2009, Abu Dhabi International Airport was the first airport in the Middle East to receive regulatory approval for enhanced low visibility operations. Known as CAT III B, the classification allows aircraft to land safely and maneuver in low visibility conditions. This was followed in 2011 by the opening of the airport’s new and symbolic 109m tall Air Traffic Control (ATC) Tower.

Long-standing relationships

Abu Dhabi International Airport is also the home of prestigious and well-established aviation organizations including:

Royal Jet

With its own VIP Terminal at Abu Dhabi International Airport, Royal Jet is an award-winning international luxury flight services provider. Amongst its vast operations, Royal Jet offers luxury VIP aircraft charter, medical evacuation services and fixed base operations, and is jointly owned by Abu Dhabi Aviation and the Presidential Flight Authority.

Abu Dhabi Aviation

Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA) is the largest commercial helicopter operator in the Middle East. Most of the company’s business activities support offshore oil, engineering and construction companies. ADA also provides medical evacuation, survey, photography and charter services, and carries out all aerial spraying of crops in the UAE and the majority of aerial spraying in the Sultanate of Oman.

Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies

Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies offers technical services for commercial and military aviation operations and is the Middle East's leading independent provider of maintenance, repair and overhaul services. With an international client portfolio stretching from Iceland to Sri Lanka, Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies is a member of Mubadala Development Company, a strategic investment and development vehicle established and wholly-owned by the government of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.