Abu Dhabi Airports Company Lauds UK Carrier's Commitment to UAE Market
Abu Dhabi, UAE. 26th November, 2008: British Airways - the UK's flagship carrier which operates 56 weekly flights from the GCC to London Heathrow - today marks its 40th anniversary of services to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.
The operational milestone follows British Airways' 75th anniversary of Middle East services last year, and British Airways' officials were quick to identify Abu Dhabi as a key component in its regional and global network.
"This service milestone highlights British Airways' long-standing commitment to Abu Dhabi - it is a vital market for us," said Robbie Baird, British Airways' General Manager, Asia & the Pacific.
"Fuelled by its increasingly high-profile international status as a strategic global aviation hub, Abu Dhabi is rapidly evolving into a business, leisure and tourism destination of choice for our UK and transatlantic customers," said Baird.
Back in the 1960s, British Airways - under its previous mantle of British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) - was the first commercial airline to commence operations to Abu Dhabi's Al Bateen Airport using a BOAC-operated VC-10 aircraft.
The airline's flights to the emirate transferred to Abu Dhabi International Airport when it opened at its current site in 1982. The airport is presently undergoing an US$ 6.8 billion expansion programme - a project being undertaken by the facility's operators Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC).
The first phase of the airport expansion was recently completed with October's opening of a second runway; a 4.1km runway suitable for use at night and in fog. The new runway is also capable of handling the next generation of aircraft, most notably the Airbus A-380 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner, of which British Airways has 12 and 24, respectively, on order.
ADAC has also begun development work on a major new Midfield Terminal Complex (MTC), to be situated between the two parallel runways. The construction of the Midfield Terminal is a key element of the broader Midfield Complex, which will include cargo and catering facilities, utilities and related infrastructure.
In its first year of operation, the new facility's planned capacity is expected to reach 20 million passengers, gradually increasing to 40 million passengers per annum.
His Excellency Khalifa Al Mazrouei, Chairman of ADAC, praised British Airways for its role in the growth of the Abu Dhabi International Airport, adding that the airline's unrivalled regional experience would assist ADAC in reaching its long-term capacity target.
"Forty years ago, the first British Airways flight landed at Al Bateen airport in Abu Dhabi. Today British Airways operates daily direct flights from Abu Dhabi International Airport on a crucial route connecting Abu Dhabi with the UK," said Al Mazrouei.
"Abu Dhabi is one of the most important destinations in the region for business travellers and tourists alike. British Airways' uninterrupted tradition of flights to and from Abu Dhabi underlines the country's strong historic links with the UK.
"We have worked and continue to work hard to build on the relationship between British Airways and Abu Dhabi International Airport. We look forward to developing this relationship to support the tremendous growth of Abu Dhabi as a capital city and global destination."
Following September's transfer of British Airways' Abu Dhabi flights to the airline's dedicated new £4.3billion home at London Heathrow's Terminal 5, the UK carrier's UAE capital passengers will soon experience transit between two of the most modern airport terminals found anywhere in the world.
"Our Abu Dhabi customers can enjoy direct flights in to Terminal 5, where they can enjoy stress-free transfers to various points in the UK, Europe and North America or access our global network of over 140 destinations in more than 70 countries," said Paul Starrs, British Airways' Commercial Manager, Middle East.
"British Airways is the region's longest serving commercial carrier and we are extremely proud of our operational heritage. The enduring importance of the Middle East market to us is evident in the 56 weekly flights which link London with the GCC," he added.
-Ends-
About British Airways:
British Airways has a worldwide route network that covers more than 150 destinations in 75 countries.
This year, British Airways was awarded best transatlantic and best business class airline by frequent travellers from across the world at the Official Airline Guide (OAG) Airline of the Year Awards.
British Airways has been operating in the Middle East for 76 years and currently operates 21 flights per week from Dubai to London Heathrow as well as a daily service from Abu Dhabi.
British Airways is one of the world's largest international airlines carrying approximately 36 million passengers around the world every year.
British Airways' new home at London Heathrow's Terminal 5 opened on March 27, 2008 and is capable of handling more than 30 million customers a year.
More than 90% of the airline's services - approximately 510 flights every day - operate out of Terminal 5, including all Middle East services.
For further information on British Airways visit www.ba.com
About Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC):
Abu Dhabi Airports Company, ADAC, is a public joint-stock company wholly owned by Abu Dhabi Government. It was incorporated by Emiri Decree number 5, of March 4th, 2006, to spearhead the development of the Emirate's aviation infrastructure.
ADAC has officially taken over the operation and management of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain international Airports, as of 28/09/2006. Under its mandate is the re-development and expansion of Abu Dhabi International Airport, which includes the new midfield terminal - a facility that will offer a 20 million passenger per year operational capacity when its first phase opens in late 2012.
For further information on ADAC, please visit www.adac.ae
© Press Release 2008
