Business aircraft operators heading to the Middle East will find landing slots much easier following the introduction of the region’s first all-corporate airport in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.
The 3,200m runway on what was formerly the Al Bateen military base close the emirate’s city centre is just part of a massive expansion to support the corporate and business jet market in the region.
Barely an hour’s drive from the popular business and leisure hub of Dubai, , will accommodate a range of aircraft types and sizes, from smaller corporate jets up to Boeing Business Jets (BBJs)
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“Aircraft can park at one of 30 plus stands and passengers can have access through three passenger terminals,” says Khalifa Al Mazrouei, chairman of the Abu Dhabi government’s airport authority ADAC which is behind the project.
The initial $55m investment will see upgrades to the airfield infrastructure, including runway surfacing, lighting and electrical power, and operational equipment, as well as enhancing terminal facilities and adding stands.
Over the longer term, the company will support the development of a corporate jet maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) centre at the airport,” says Al Mazrouei. At the heart of the Bateen airport will be a luxury VVIP terminal.
The case for the corporate aviation base had been made to governments in the region by the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA), whose founding chairman Ali Al Naqbi said at NBAA yesterday: “We worked hard to make the case for Bateen as a business jet airport once it was decided the military base was moving.”
MEBAA will be hosting the next major business aviation event, MEBA, organized by Fairs and Exhibitions, in Dubai from November 16-18. Details are available at Booth 919.
Source: Flight Daily News
