Abu Dhabi Midfield Terminal to open in fourth quarter 2019

In early 2016, Abu Dhabi Airports said the Midfield Terminal would open in December 2017

Abu Dhabi’s new airport terminal, which was earlier scheduled to open in 2017, is now expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2019, operator Abu Dhabi Airports said yesterday.

Awaidah Al Marrar, chairman of Abu Dhabi Airports, said that 86 per cent of construction of the new terminal is now complete.

“We have completed 86 per cent of the construction in this project despite the challenges and difficulties, and all that is left is for us to take-off as one team…” he said during a meeting with stakeholders.

In early 2016, Abu Dhabi Airports said the Midfield Terminal would open in December 2017, a postponement from the original July 2017 opening date.

The operator said at the time that was due to construction issues.

However, that December 2017 date was pushed back again, with the operator saying in March 2017 it was expecting to open the terminal in 2019, without specifying when during the year.

The Midfield Terminal is just one of the key projects in the UAE that are being delayed as lower oil prices squeeze government income and spending.

When complete, the Midfield Terminal will span 742,000 square metres, and along with the existing terminals at Abu Dhabi International Airport will serve the increasing number of passengers flying through Abu Dhabi.

Etihad Airways is also expected to move its operations to the Midfield Terminal.