The Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) has named Changi Airports International of Singapore as operations manager of Abu Dhabi International Airport.
An operations management agreement was signed today at Abu Dhabi Beach Rotana Hotel by H.E. Khalifa Al Mazrouei, ADAC Chairman and Managing Director, and Mr. Chow Kok Fong, CEO of Changi Airports International (CAI)
According to the terms of the agreement, CAI will assume management of operations in key areas of the Airport- including terminal and apron operations, airport emergency services, and customer services- for an 18-month term.
ADAC’s Chairman and Managing Director, Khalifa Mohammed Al Mazrouei, said: “We are proud to associate with CAI. The selection of this internationally-acclaimed operator fits well with ADAC’s aspiration to operate its airport facilities to the best international standards. We look forward to a mutually-beneficial partnership.”
Al Mazrouei said ADAC’s association with CAI, which enjoys a high track record of achievements and world recognition, will help ADAC establish its image as a quality-oriented, output -driven organisation.
Mr. Chow Kok Fong, CEO of CAI, said: “Few businesses with global aspirations can afford not to be in the Gulf region. Abu Dhabi International Airport presents an attractive alternative hub to this fast growing geographical region. Potentially its reach is considerable, sweeping through Africa and the Middle East and linking these regions to Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas.
The Abu Dhabi International Airport is already one of the leading airports in this region and we have a very high regard for what they have already achieved. Together the synergy between Changi and Abu Dhabi will be formidable and I am confident we can leverage this purposefully to unlock other investment and business opportunities in the region.”
The partnership will leverage on Changi’s 25-year proven track record of operating and developing one of the most highly acclaimed and successful airports in the world.
Changi Airport has, since its opening in 1981, won over 250 awards and accolades as best airport from organizations such as the International Air Transport Association and Business Traveller magazine. It was proclaimed the world’s best airport in 2006 by Skytrax, the UK-based research company for commercial airlines.
Abu Dhabi International Airport is the focus of a US$6.8 billion redevelopment programme that will increase passenger capacity from 7 to 20 million by 2010.
The Airport expansion programme is one aspect of a full-fledged Government strategy that will see the capital emirate emerge as a major business and tourist centre. The programme will cater to the rapid growth of Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, and the needs of a major business boom.
By April 2008, a new 4,100-metre runway will become operational, which will be able to accommodate the new generation of wide-bodied aircraft, including the Airbus A380.
April 2008 will also see the inauguration of a third terminal, with an annual capacity of five million passengers which will enable the Airport to meet Etihad’s growth until the new Midfield terminal complex (MTC) is completed.
MTC, the centre piece of the redevelopment programme, will increase the Airport’s overall capacity to up to 20 million by 2010. The capacity of the new terminal can be increased to a maximum of 40 million passengers to cope with demand growth.
Cargo facilities are also poised for major expansion. Current expansion of the existing cargo facilities will double the capacity to 300,000 tonnes by early next year, which will be further boosted to one million tonnes when a new cargo terminal is completed by 2009. The master plan envisions an ultimate growth to up to two million tonnes.
Other projects underway include a new Air Traffic Control Complex and a new free trade zone.
