Abu Dhabi, May 28th, 2007(WAM)-- Abu Dhabi AirportsCompany (ADAC) has reported significant progress in its AED 26 billionprogramme for redevelopment of Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Addressing delegates to the Airport Build and Supply Exhibition whichopened here today at Dubai Airport Expo, James Robinson, ADAC PlanningManager said major projects were heading toward timely completion.

Visitors to ADAC stand will be able to see first hand the future developmentsas the company is showcasing its master plan model for the redevelopmentof Abu Dhabi International Airport. The programme will allow for phasedgrowth of passenger traffic to beyond 40 million per year from the currentseven million, while cargo capacity will be boosted to 2.5 million tonesper year. The project includes construction of a second runway, two newterminals, a state-of-the-art air traffic control complex, new cargo facilities,an airport free trade zone, retail and maintenance facilities.

On the infrastructural front, work is progressing according to scheduleto meet the deadline and three facilities will come on line in the firsthalf of 2008: a third passenger terminal, a second runway, and an airtraffic control tower.

Terminal 3 is an interim facility designed to meet the impressive growthrequirements of the national airliner, Etihad Airways. Its eight gatesare capable of handling the new generation of wide-bodied aircraft, andtwo of them are A380 compatible. Terminal 3 will add another five millionto the airport passenger capacity, which now stands at seven million.

The second runway is being built two kilometers to the north of the existingone. It is a category 3 all weather runway measuring 4,100 meters in lengthand will be capable of handling the new Airbus A380 double-decker aircraft.

The air traffic control complex will enable the airport to handle up to70 takeoffs and landings per hour. The structure will be 110 meters highand will be an architectural showpiece.

ADAC also plans to have phase 1 of the airport free zone up and runningin June 2008. The free zone will occupy a built area of over 7 millionsquare meters, offering investors an impressive package of world-classfacilities and services.

The creation of a free zone marks a milestone in Abu Dhabi's plans toestablish itself as a dynamic business centre. The free zone will takeadvantage of Abu Dhabi International Airport's strategic geographicalposition on the crossroads between the east and the west, and the large-scaleeconomic development of the Emirate.

When the free zone comes on line in mid 2008, expansion and redevelopmentof the existing cargo facilities will have been completed too and workon the new cargo facilities will have begun.

The Master plan also caters to the cargo sector. More than 50 hectareshave been reserved for new cargo facilities. ADAC will be building threenew cargo terminals, two for Etihad Airways, and one for the use of otherairlines, with an ultimate combined capacity of around 2.5 million tones.

With regards ADAC's our flagship facility, the Midfield Terminal, conceptualdesigns have now been completed and groundbreaking work will start laterthis year. The Midfield Terminal will emerge as an impressive architecturalfeat offering the ultimate experience in terms of functionality and aestheticappeal. The Terminal will initially have over 30 gates, and will expandto over 80 to cope with anticipated growth.

Along with infrastructural development, due emphasis is being made toimprove customer service levels and operational efficiency. In this connection,a host of initiatives have been introduced to ensure that users of theexisting facilities get the best possible treatment.

"Our pursuit for improvement is relentless," said ADAC Chairman and ManagingDirector Khalifa Al Mazrouei. "It starts with safety and security issuesand goes all the way to the length of waiting time at baggage collection,and how long an arriving passenger has to queue for a taxi, through tocheck-in times, immigration services, lounge, food and beverage and duty-freeexperiences".

Recently, Abu Dhabi International Airport has witnessed unprecedentedincrease in passenger traffic, having registered a 25% growth in the firstquarter of 2007 over the same period last year. Passengers handled bythe airport by Q1 2007 reached a total of 1.575 million, compared to 1.255million in Q1 2006.

The first quarter of 2007 did also bring international recognition forthe airport as a gateway of choice. The Airport bagged two prestigiousawards by the Airports Council International (ACI), an international bodyof 573 members operating over 1,643 airports in 178 countries. The awards,based on annual feedback of international passengers, confirmed ADIA asthe best Airport in Africa and the Middle East in terms of service quality,courtesy, and customer service.

Al Ain International Airport, which is serving the southern region ofthe Emirate of Abu Dhabi is also emerging as a sought after cargo hubfacility. Earlier this month, the Emirates Corporation for CommercialPostal Services (Empost) chose Al Ain International Airport as the homebase for their international air cargo operations which will extend tothe Indian Subcontinent, the Middle East, and Europe. Empost will be theregion's largest cargo freighter and has plans to expand its fleet toover 50 aircraft by 2012. This selection reflects Empost's recognitionof the quality of service and strategic location Al Ain Airport.

"Surely, we will use these positive developments as stepping stones towardreinforcing our image as a quality-oriented, excellence -driven organization,"remarked Al Mazrouei.