On Friday, the Abu Dhabi International Airport in the UAE was renamed as the Zayed International Airport.
It has been named after the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
The airport’s new brand identity was also revealed alongside the renaming of it. A traditional dhow boat, a date palm tree, the sun, the Qasr Al Hosn Fort, and Terminal A – the airport’s new terminal building – served as creative inspirations for the new logo.
Zayed International Airport’s recently opened Terminal A features one of the world’s largest terminals, capable of welcoming up to 45 million passengers per year. During the first 60 days after Terminal A became fully operational, Zayed International welcomed 4.48 million passengers, with 1.21 million arrivals, 1.22 million departures, two million transfers and more than 24,000 flights.
The airport served 117 travel destinations in December 2023, an increase of 20 per cent from 100 cities in 2022, due to a growing airline network of 28 international carriers.
Terminal A is fitted with biometric technology to streamline the screening and boarding process, 35,000 sqm of retail and F&B space, and 163 outlets for passengers.
Overall, Abu Dhabi Airports’ passenger traffic results for 2023 showed a significant increase in passenger demand. A total of 22,935,316 passengers flew through one of Abu Dhabi‘s five commercial airports over the period of 1 January to 31 December, marking a 44.5 per cent increase in demand compared to 2022. The year also saw growth in other critical business areas, including Air Traffic Movements (ATMs) across the five airports. The total number of ATMs, referring to the landing or taking-off of an aircraft, reached 226,362, crossing the 2022 figure of 194,666, a 16.3 per cent increase year-on-year.
Etihad unveils lounges at Abu Dhabi International’s new Terminal A
“Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our employees, partners and everyone else involved, 2023 has been an overwhelmingly positive year for Abu Dhabi Airports. I am particularly proud that since its opening, Terminal A‘s operations have been very successful. We are excited for what lies ahead for Zayed International Airport as it embarks on the next chapter of its journey under the cherished name of the Founding Father of the nation,” said Elena Sorlini who was recently confirmed as the managing director and chief executive officer at Abu Dhabi Airports.
The UAE’s national carrier, Etihad Airways, has relocated all its operations to Terminal A. To mark the renaming of the airport, Etihad launched a special offer for guests departing from Abu Dhabi to select destinations. The limited time offer is available between 9 and 14 February 2024 for guests travelling between 19 February and 15 June 2024.
Guests flying to Bangkok can book special fares starting at Dhs2,490 in economy class and Dhs7,990 in business. Others travelling to Osaka from Abu Dhabi can do so with fares beginning from Dhs4,490 and Dhs14,990 in economy and business respectively. Also, Etihad flights to Copenhagen, Munich, and Lisbon are being offered at fares starting at Dhs2,490 in economy and Dhs11,990 in business.
