Al Bateen reports booming growth of 25% in commercial movements for April

Al Bateen Executive Airport, the Gulf Region’s first and only dedicated private aviation airport operated and managed by Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), has announced a 25% increase in commercial aircraft movements during April 2011 compared with the same month last year.  The executive airport continues to register high double digit growth in its commercial traffic from both based and visiting aircraft operators. The figures follow hard on the heels of its 18% growth shown in Q1 2011 activity versus Q1 2010.

Steve Jones, General Manager at Al Bateen Executive Airport commented: “We are seeing an upward trend in traffic as operators and their clients get more familiar with Al Bateen Executive.  The decision to revise our aeronautical charges last year and the introduction of a new instrument landing system (ILS) has boasted traffic immeasurably, as has the ongoing improvements to our facility, which now benefits from a dedicated hands on management team.”  

Jones added:  “We are pleased to report that Al Bateen is getting on to the map and encouragingly much of this growth is coming from visiting or overseas aircraft.  Al Bateen has a raft of improvements to make that will deliver an even more attractive proposition for crew and passengers.”

The airport notes a significant increased activity from the business sector as Abu Dhabi continues to develop as a key commercial centre in the gulf region. The location of the airport just ten minutes from the downtown area confirms the strong positioning of Al Bateen as an efficient and convenient facility for business aviation.

A stylish new crew lounge and briefing facilities are currently close to completion. Rob Jefferson, Account Director at Projex, the interior design and fit-out contractor, is overseeing the project and comments, “we have worked closely with Al Bateen Management to research the specific requirements of its customers and develop concepts that meet and exceed expectations. The facilities are elegant and relaxing yet highly functional.” Al Bateen has also developed a strategy that addresses the precise needs of the airport’s users.

Together with the upgraded crew facilities, Al Bateen signed a letter of intent with aviation catering firm Gate Group in Dec 2010. This agreement sees its executive gourmet catering concept established onsite at Al Bateen and will be the first base for the catering firm in the Middle Eastern region.

The next stages of Al Bateen’s development will be unveiled at EBACE in Switzerland between the 17^th and 19^th May where they will be welcoming visitors to Booth 336.

Al Bateen Executive Airport is a dedicated business jet airport, the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region; conveniently located only a five kilometres from the central business district of Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital.

The downtown location of Al Bateen Executive Airport makes it ideal for users of business jets, whose time is valuable and who have a high-regard for the convenience that personalised jet travel can bring.  It is easily accessible off the Abu Dhabi to Dubai highway, making the centre of Dubai a short motorway journey of 1hr 15mins.  It is also a short distance from the famous Yas Island complex of the F1 Yas Marina Circuit and Ferrari World, the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, world famous championship golf courses and the amazing development of Sadyat Island.