In a significant announcement, Abu Dhabi International Airport is set to be renamed Zayed International Airport in honor of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
The directive for the name change came from the President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Effective Date of the Name Change:
The airport’s renaming will officially take effect on February 9, 2024. This date coincides with the official opening ceremony of the new Terminal A.
The terminal will begin operations on November 1, marking a new era for the airport.
A New Terminal Welcomes Its First Travelers:
The newly constructed Terminal A opened its doors to travelers, with Etihad Airways operating the first commercial flight to India.
Flight EY224 from Abu Dhabi to New Delhi, carrying 359 passengers, took off from Terminal A at 2.35 p.m.
A two-week transition period for airlines will follow, during which all terminals—A, 1, 2, and 3—will operate simultaneously. From November 14, all airlines will exclusively operate from Terminal A.
Terminal A’s Features and Capacity:
Spanning an impressive 742,000 square meters, Terminal A boasts an annual passenger capacity of up to 45 million.
When fully operational, it will be home to 28 airlines serving a network of 117 destinations worldwide.
Praise for the New Terminal:
Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, visited the new terminal, emphasizing its importance to the region.
Etihad Airways CEO Antonoaldo Neves praised the vision behind the new airport, highlighting its architectural beauty and potential to enhance the travel experience for passengers.
