Abu Dhabi Midfield Terminal construction moving fast

Abu Dhabi's Midfield Terminal Building, or MTB, is expected to be 70 per cent complete by the end of 2015.
Once the MTB is operational, overall airport capacity will increase to 45 million passengers per year. As part of this redevelopment, a second runway and a third terminal have been completed.
On the occasion of UAE Civil Aviation Day, Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, UAE Minister of Economy and Chairman of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA); and Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, director-general of the GCAA, accompanied by Ali Majed Al Mansoori, chairman of Abu Dhabi Airports, took an aerial tour of the MTB to review the construction progress made on the future gateway to the capital city.
The MTB - which will be the largest singular building in Abu Dhabi and one of the region's most architecturally impressive, environmentally-friendly and innovative structures - is the centerpiece of Abu Dhabi Airports' multibillion-dollar capital investment programme, designed to create additional capacity to handle the increase in passenger traffic.
UAE Civil Aviation Day is marked with the aim of highlighting the country's rich aviation history, current developments in the sector and the safety and efficiency of air transport as a mode of travel.
Al Mansouri said that in the last few decades, the UAE has seen unprecedented growth in air transport.
"I am pleased to be celebrating UAE Civil Aviation Day by witnessing the progress in the industry's iconic Midfield Terminal Building, at Abu Dhabi International Airport," the minister said.
Abu Dhabi Airports' Al Mansoori said: "UAE Civil Aviation Day is a day to celebrate and recognise the achievements of our country in this sector over the last eight decades."
"As the MTB structure takes shape and its presence can be seen on the city's horizon, I look forward to the final stages of this exciting journey as Abu Dhabi Airports moves towards the delivery of this iconic structure in 2017."
He congratulated His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on receiving the "Man of Aviation" award.
- haseeb@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi