OREANDA-NEWS. Abu Dhabi Airports received last Sunday approval from the Government of abu Dhabi on three projects that further support the master plan for the development of Abu Dhabi International's overall infrastructure program.

In line with the current construction of the Midfield Terminal Building (MTB) set to open in July 2017, the three projects are essential to increase the current and future capacity of the anticipated growth of passengers and aircraft movements through Abu Dhabi International Airport. At a total cost of 1,645 billion, the new projects include additional aircraft hard stands, a new Automated Passenger Mobility (APM) system and an airside road tunnel under the southern runway.

With the goal of providing the highest levels of services, the plans to enhance and develop the currrent infrastructure of the airport are a result of the monitoring and studying of the constant growth of passengers as well as the alignment to Etihad Airways growth strategy. Passenger traffic forecasts updated in 2013 show a 30% increase in passenger numbers compared to 2011 forcasts, at the time the MTB opens in 2017, as a result of Etihad Airways' accelerated growth plans. To support this growth, it is essential to develop the current infrastruture and facilities by adding 9 new hard stands, a southern runway tunnel, and develop the APM system.

H.E Ali Majed Al Mansouri said: "Abu Dhabi Airports values the trust and support of the Government of Abu Dhabi in our capabilities and comitments towards developing and growng air transport in the Emirate and the UAE. Our inititaives and projects are set to deliver highly efficient and world class infrastructure, that caters to the growth of the aviation sector in the region, and will be a proud national landmark for generations to come".

The approved projects include the addition of 9 new hard stands suitable for wide-body aircraft that are registering increase at the capital's airport. Construction of the new hard stands has already begun to go into operation gradualluy as of the fourth quarter of this year.

The approved Automated Passenger Mobility (APM) project is designed to connect passengers between the MTB and its future the satellitie terminals. According to the forecasted growth reports, a few years after the opening of the MTB; new terminal buildings will be needed to add to the airport's capacity. Hence, Abu Dhabi Airports has foreseen the practicality of building the APM as of now during the current construction of the MTB rather than interrupting its operations after it opens in 2017.

The southern runway tunnel will connect the MTB to the existing terminals wich will add to the efficieny of operating all airport terminals efficiently at full capacity. Construction works will begin immedietly to benefit from the current closure of the southern runway for enhancement and widening works which began in January this year. The new tunnel will stretch over 720 meters in length and 38 to 46 meters in width.