Abu Dhabi Airports recently conducted an intermediate full operational trial of the Midfield Terminal Complex (MTC), as a part of the continuing development of the state-of-the-art Terminal Complex, and the ongoing Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) process.
With the MTC designed to be able to handle more than 8,500 people per hour, conducting operational tests ahead of the terminals operation is of paramount importance, said the statement from Abu Dhabi Airports.
The trials, which were designed to thoroughly test the new buildings capacity and facilities, involved more than 800 volunteers, and two Etihad Aviation Group aircraft, taking part in simulating the operation of the terminal, it stated.
Between 9:30 am and 3:00 pm, 800 volunteers acted as passengers using the terminal building, while an Etihad Aviation Group Airbus A330-200 and A330-300 simulated the process of performing a full 80 minute turnaround on the aircraft, including the loading of catering, refueling the aircraft, and conducting checks on the aircraft ahead of take-off.
Through a variety of scenarios, the trial teams and volunteers simulated passengers arriving at the terminal, transiting through the terminal, boarding the aircraft, disembarking the aircraft, passing through customs and immigration, utilizing concierge services, and departing from the terminal.
The terminal, which will be one of the regions largest, is designed to handle tens of millions of passengers a year, with a baggage handling system that can process almost half a million bags a day, said the statement.
During the trial, Abu Dhabi Airports staff and strategic stakeholders were able to assess processes related to immigration, security, hand-baggage handling, immigration, baggage reclaim and customs.
CEO Bryan Thompson said: "The MTC is a magnificent piece of engineering, and its distinctive architectural profile will soon be synonymous with the incredible city of Abu Dhabi, a key destination and transport hub for the region and the world."
"We are committed to ensuring the highest levels of operational excellence as we continue our journey toward becoming the worlds leading airports group," he stated.
Thompson said: "Trials are an important step in the delivery of the MTC project, as we safely and securely assess the terminals operational capacities and processes."
"Through conducting trials of this scale and fully assessing the results therein, we will be able to make sure that passengers enjoy an efficient and smooth journey through the MTC from the very first day of operation," he stated.
Currently under way is the multi-billion dollar re-development and expansion of Abu Dhabi International Airport designed to increase the overall capacity of the airport to more than 45 million passengers per year.
As part of this redevelopment, a second runway and a third terminal have been completed, it added.-TradeArabia News Service
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