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The opening of the Midfield terminal, expected since 19.1 billion dirhams, has been crossed.
Nearly 800 volunteers and two Etihad jets put the building to the test as part of a major operational test.
It took place on June 30 and aimed to badess the readiness of the building for the real pbadengers.
From 9:30, the volunteers crossed the new terminal. They went through security, checked in their luggage and boarded the plane as if it were regular pbadengers. The two jet planes – an Airbus A330-200 and A330-300 – simulated a complete 80-minute reversal of the aircraft, including loading, refueling and security checks.
The performance of the immigration, security, baggage handling and customs offices was also badessed.
The news of the test was revealed Sunday, but no official date of opening for Midfield Terminal has been given. Bryan Thompson, chief executive officer of Abu Dhabi Airports, did not specify the current forecast for opening the terminal later this year, but said it would happen "soon". Its opening was scheduled for 2017.
"Testing is an important step in the realization of the project because we are safely evaluating the capabilities and operational processes of the terminal," he said of the June tests.
By conducting tests of this magnitude and fully evaluating the results achieved, we will be able to ensure that pbadengers enjoy an efficient and smooth journey … from the first day of operation. "
Mr. Thompson also thanked the volunteers who made the test possible.
"The [Midfield Terminal] is a magnificent piece of engineering and its distinctive architectural profile will soon be synonymous with the incredible city of Abu Dhabi, "he said.
When it's open, Midfield Terminal is designed to handle 8,500 people an hour, tens of millions of pbadengers a year and a baggage handling system that can handle about half a million bags a day.
It will also increase the airport's capacity to more than 45 million pbadengers a year. It currently serves about 20 million people a year.
The long-awaited opening also comes as Etihad, the national company of the United Arab Emirates, continues its recovery plan to recover the losses suffered since 2016.
In March, Thompson said the terminal was "planned," but there is no hurry to leave because Etihad is still in the middle of the plan. He also indicated that he wanted to increase point-to-point traffic at the airport. The most currently is transit.
"We do not want to leave Abu Dhabi at the opening of the session … Midfield, we will make sure to be 100% ready at the time of opening, for ourselves and the airline can present Abu Dhabi in the best possible light, "he said at the time. "It's not just the reputation of the airport that's at stake, so we want to do it right."
The terminal is designed with X-shaped curves and covers 742,000 square meters. Among the larger projects for the airport are more hotels, shops and an aviation district in Falah.
Last Updated: July 21, 2019 13:27
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