ABU DHABI, 21st October, 2013 (WAM) -- During a live celebration, Abu Dhabi Airports today announced the placement of the first buttress for the main structural steel arches of the Midfield Terminal Building (MTB), 7 days ahead of schedule. The large base was assembled in front of an audience which included company representatives, contractors and media, to commemorate this key milestone in the construction of Abu Dhabi?s new Midfield Terminal.
Speaking on the occasion, Ali Majed Al Mansoori, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Airports, commented, "The government of Abu Dhabi has graciously bestowed on Abu Dhabi Airports the responsibility of delivering a sustainable, iconic airport terminal building for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Achieving this milestone is a significant step along the path of developing world-class airport infrastructure for Abu Dhabi, and its goal of becoming a vital transportation hub for the region. I would like to personally thank the whole team for this proud achievement."Abu Dhabi Airports? Chief Executive Officer, Tony Douglas, said, "We are truly proud of hitting this important milestone ahead of schedule as it is a clear indicator of Abu Dhabi Airports? unwavering commitment to delivering the Midfield Terminal Building on time and on budget. I commend our team and partners for their diligence, efficiency and strong performance. As we celebrate this milestone today, we reaffirm our commitment to deliver on our promise and inaugurate Abu Dhabi?s new gateway to the Capital City on 17-07-2017."Due to the complexity of the MTB design structure, and in an initiative to support the delivery of this mega project on time, Abu Dhabi Airports carried out a trial phase for the assembly of the buttress steel structure. Several weeks ago, a mock-up of the buttress was assembled at the MTB site, which was visible from the E10 Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway. This trial phase enabled engineers and architects to practice and log the experience, which helped overcome challenges that were faced in achieving this critical milestone. Earlier this month, Abu Dhabi Airports recorded over 10 million man working hours with zero lost-time injuries during the on-going construction of the MTB. This high level performance was realised through the collective efforts of Abu Dhabi Airports, TCA JV, AECOM, and other involved parties to ensure that the highest health, safety and environment practices are upheld throughout all stages of construction. The Midfield Terminal Complex (MTC) is destined to become the gateway to Abu Dhabi and the future home of Etihad Airways, the national airline of the U.A.E.. The Midfield Terminal Building is the key component of the MTC development programme and will contribute to the long-term success of the aviation sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. In its first year of operation, the planned capacity of the facility is expected to reach 30 million passengers.Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2013.
