Credit: Victor Romero.
The Airports Council International magazine follows the opening of the KPF-designed terminal, highlighting the building’s sustainability features and what the expansion means for the UAE.
Following the opening of Terminal A on November 1st by welcoming its first passengers, the expansion of Abu Dhabi International Airport signals “the dawn of an exciting new era for the UAE gateway,” writes Airport World. The article explains that the world-class passenger facility is an important factor in allowing the region to achieve its growth ambitions and meet long-term demand. The terminal can process up to 45 million passengers a year, doubling the airport’s capacity, and is nearly 750,000 square meters in size.
While among the world’s largest, Terminal A’s X-shape design maximizes operational efficiency and improves passenger movement with average walking times of only 12 minutes from kerb to gate. In addition to over 35,000 square meters of retail and F&B programming, the terminal features one of the Middle East’s largest indoor public art installations.
Prioritizing sustainability, the terminal uses energy-efficient lighting, advanced HVAC systems, and a photovoltaic array on the car park roof. Reduced water consumption is predicted to result in an approximate 45% decrease of the airport’s annual usage.
On February 9, Abu Dhabi International Airport will be renamed Zayed International Airport, scheduled to coincide with the official opening ceremony for Terminal A. The name change was announced by the Abu Dhabi government in honor of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding president of the UAE.
Airport World is the magazine of Airports Council International. Read the full article here.