Abu Dhabi: What is expected to become the Middle East's first dedicated executive airport is to be established at the Al Bateen military airbase, six miles from the city centre. The Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) is planning to spend more than US$50 million (£26 million) on developing it into an exclusive corporate jet facility, with both VIP and VVIP terminals.
"As a growing centre of international business and finance, Abu Dhabi has seen significant growth in the number of corporate jets coming to the city over the last few years," says Khalifa Al Mazrouei, ADAC chairman and managing director. "The site offers a unique strategic location, just minutes from the heart of the UAE's capital city. The aim is to create one of the best executive airports in the world."
The new facility will be capable of handling everything from small executive jets up to Boeing Business Jets or Boeing 737-800s. It is estimated there are more than 380 corporate jets currently based in the Middle East, a figure that is forecast to grow to 900 by 2014.
James Hogan, chief executive of Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways, speaking at the Farnborough International Air Show in July, said the Middle East was "a new centre for global aviation", acting as a natural bridge between east and west. He estimated that the region's 10 major airports would account for an extra 318 million passengers a year by 2012.