UAE. Today we are proud to bring you the first report by a foreign media company on Abu Dhabi International Airport’s magnificent new Terminal A, which began operations on 1 November.
The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie visited the terminal last week both on a guided basis and separately as an unencumbered passenger. Look out for his series of articles with key stakeholders, including Abu Dhabi Airports leadership and management, concessionaires and designers over coming days and weeks.
These will culminate in an exclusive eZine post the 9 February 2024 official inauguration, designed to capture the enthralling narrative of this extraordinary project.
As the photos confirm, Terminal A is an architectural and design masterpiece. The scale, the spectacle and the beauty of the terminal building dazzle. Departing passengers are immersed into a towering 50-metre space rendered largely column-free through the use of huge leaning arches, separated from the roof to lend an open, outdoor quality and allowing light to flood into the space.
It offers a spectacular fusion of state of the art technology (the building will eventually boast a world-first nine passenger biometric touchpoints, up from the current five); and a soaring 22-metre high, 17-metre wide public art feature called the Sana Al Nour that anchors the terminal.
Terminal A delivers a powerfully evocative Sense Place in its architecture, art and commercial offer, the last-named a shopping and dining extravaganza curated to offer something for everyone within the airport’s diverse passenger profile.
{This short video clip, shot by Martin Moodie on his iPhone, captures some of the architectural magnificence as seen in the landside departures area, complemented by stunning digital imagery}
“I believe we have achieved something amazing,” says Abu Dhabi Airports Managing Director and Interim Chief Executive Officer Elena Sorlini, speaking during an interview to be published soon. “I had the honour to lead the last part of the journey, in a way, because I was sitting on the board before and I was fully involved. And I have to say, I fell in love with the building the first time I saw it. This is something very special, a very special place.” ✈
COMING SOON – TALKING RETAIL, FOOD & BEVERAGE, DESIGN & SERVICES
The Moodie Davitt Report was privileged to walk the terminal’s commercial offer with some of the best guides imaginable, the concessionaires themselves. Look out for our individual interviews coming soon. ✈
