More than 5,000 pilgrims expected to arrive to the Capital's airport within the three days on charter Hajj flights

9 November 2011, Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi International Airport (ADIA) handled the arrival of the first pilgrims ensuring a smooth and convenient process for all passengers. A total of 7 charter Hajj flights arrived today to the Capital's airport bringing around 2,000 pilgrims from Jeddah on board Etihad Airways and Saudi Arabian Airline aircraft. ADAC estimates more than 5,000 pilgrims will arrive to Abu Dhabi onboard 15 non-she dulled charter flights, with more expected to arrive on the regular scheduled flights for both airlines, within the coming three days.

Under ADAC's comprehensive plan for handling the return flights from the holy lands to the UAE, a dedicated number of employees has been allocated to facilitate the pilgrims' arrival procedures, and to assist in delivering and carrying luggage. ADAC has specific areas to deliver Zamzam holy water containers post the customs procedures to ensure travellers receive these promptly and smoothly.

Harib Ghannam Al Hameli, Vice President Operations, Abu Dhabi International Airport at ADAC explained:

"As pilgrims return from their spiritual journey, Abu Dhabi International Airport welcomes them with full preparations to ensure eased flow and complete satisfaction. Abu Dhabi Airports Company is working closely with all airline companies and all entities at Abu Dhabi International Airport, including Ports and Airports Security Department, Immigration, Medical Services, Ground Services, and all the other concerned governmental and non governmental entities to facilitate the procedures and to harness all the efforts to smooth the process of pilgrims in their trip back to Abu Dhabi. We are dedicating information counters in all arrival terminals to service pilgrims as they arrive and provide them with the needed information and guidelines."

To ensure the safety of pilgrims travelling or transiting from Abu Dhabi International Airport, ADAC has in place a customised plan to guarantee quick response, which includes equipping the airport's clinic with all medical equipments needed to provide medical care to pilgrims in the airport.

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About Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC)
Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) is a public joint-stock company wholly owned by the Abu Dhabi Government. It was incorporated by Amiri Decree number 5, issued on 4 March 2006, to spearhead the development of the Emirate's aviation infrastructure. In September 2006, ADAC assumed responsibility for the operation and management of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain International Airports. In 2008, ADAC added Al Bateen Executive Airport (an exclusive private aviation airport), and Sir Bani Yas and Delma Island Airports to its portfolio. These airports are geared to serve the various segments of air travellers, the aviation marketplace, and will help contribute to Abu Dhabi's development as a destination for both business and leisure tourism.

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 20 million passengers per year. As part of this redevelopment, a second runway and a third terminal have been completed.

For more information, please contact:
May Ali Mostafa
Mob: +971 55 136 5787
Tel:  +971 2 447 2805
E-Mail: adac@hillandknowlton.com

Elham Bourani
P.O. Box:  94449, Abu Dhabi, U.A.E
Tel: +971 2   504 3304
Fax: +971 2   575 8300
Mob: +971 50 818 0467
E-mail: ebourani@adac.ae;
Web sites: www.adac.ae, www.adacmediacentre.com  
Time Zone: MT/UTC +4

Radwa Shehab
P.O. Box: 94449, Abu Dhabi, U.A.E
Tel: +971 2   504 3261
Fax: +971 2   575 8300
Mob: +971 50 262 2349
E-mail:  rshehab@adac.ae;
Web sites: www.adac.ae, www.adacmediacentre.com  
Time Zone:   GMT/UTC +4

© Press Release 2011