Abu Dhabi Airports preps for Terminal A opening with largest live trial

Abu Dhabi Airports is conducting its largest live trial and testing exercise as part of the operational readiness trials prior to the opening of the new Terminal.

The new terminal is slated to open in November.

Spread across 742,000 square metres of built-up area, Terminal A is among the largest airport terminals in the world. It aims to further expand Abu Dhabi International Airport’s passenger and cargo capacity.

The terminal has the capacity to handle 45 million passengers per year, and process 11,000 passengers per hour.

The operational trials involve playing an essential part in robust simulations that are designed to stress-test equipment, staff and procedures, in key operating areas of the terminal, according to the state news agency WAM.

.@AD_Airports is engaging Abu Dhabi community volunteers to help test equipment, staff and passenger processes at the new Terminal A at @AUH ahead of it beginning operations in November 2023. pic.twitter.com/ixsQuSPtYn

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) September 16, 2023

Volunteers include students, families, stakeholders from the aviation ecosystem and Abu Dhabi Airports staff members are taking part in the exercise.

Live readiness trial at Terminal A

The systems and processes being tested include check-in and baggage, security screening, boarding gates, immigration and customs.

At immigration, volunteers are checking the speed and accuracy of the process for passengers, with the aim to enhance document and customs inspections.

At boarding and departure, checks comprise scanning the boarding passes of volunteers and testing procedural preparedness to share changes in flight information with travellers.

Elena Sorlini, MD and Interim CEO at Abu Dhabi Airports, said, “Our commitment to excellence has driven our journey to prepare for Terminal A’s opening, as we are focused on conducting extensive large-scale assessments to ensure the speed, efficiency and delivery of operations. I would like to thank the volunteers who have participated in these trials for their unwavering support as we gear up to welcome passengers to Terminal A in November.”

Read: Abu Dhabi International Airport passenger traffic rises 67% in H1 2023