Abu Dhabi Airport to be renamed Zayed International Airport

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ABU DHABI, UAE, Oct 31, (Agencies): In a significant move, the President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has issued directives to rename Abu Dhabi International Airport. The new official name, Zayed International Airport, is set to take effect on February 9, 2024. This decision comes just a day before the grand opening of Terminal A on November 1.

Terminal A, previously known as the Midfield Terminal during its construction phase, spans an impressive 742,000 square meters. This state-of-the-art terminal is expected to greatly enhance tourism and aviation growth in the emirate. His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, toured the newly minted Terminal A. During his visit, he received a comprehensive briefing on its facilities, which are poised to play a pivotal role in driving the growth of the tourism and aviation sectors in the region.

Terminal A has been meticulously designed to accommodate up to 45 million passengers annually, offering flights to 117 destinations worldwide. This strategic renaming of Abu Dhabi International Airport aligns with the monumental opening ceremony of Terminal A.

The inauguration of Terminal A is a momentous occasion for Abu Dhabi, marking a significant increase in passenger capacity and further solidifying the emirate’s status as a prominent global aviation hub. Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, will conduct a ceremonial flight on October 31, and the terminal will open its doors to the public on November 1.

The cutting-edge facilities at Terminal A will provide passengers and airlines in the region with an enhanced travel experience. The transition of airlines into Terminal A will be conducted in three phases over two weeks. Notably, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi and 15 other international airlines are set to commence operations from the new Terminal on November 1. Subsequently, from November 9, Etihad Airways will commence 16 daily flights before full operational transition on November 14. Air Arabia Abu Dhabi and ten other airlines will also transition to Terminal A on the same date. Ultimately, when fully operational, Terminal A will offer an impressive 35,000 square meters of retail space, featuring 163 shops and various food and beverage outlets. Passengers will have the opportunity to indulge in shopping and dining experiences, with renowned brands like Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Ferragamo, and the first Muji airport store.

In a remarkable milestone, Etihad Airways operated the first commercial flight from Terminal A on Tuesday. Etihad flight EY224, en route from Abu Dhabi to New Delhi, departed from Terminal A at 2:35 pm. The flight utilized one of the airline’s Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, carrying 359 passengers on board. Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, expressed excitement regarding this significant moment in Etihad’s history. As they begin their transition to Terminal A, they look forward to welcoming more passengers as they continue to grow and expand their fleet and network. Etihad Airways plans to transition its flights to Terminal A in a phased approach from November 9, operating from both Terminal A and Terminal 3 between November 9 and 14.

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