Adac plans to expand as global airport operator

Dubai: Abu Dhabi Airports Company (Adac), which manages aviation facilities in the UAE capital and Al Ain, said it wants to grow as an international operator and owner of airports.

Chief executive officer Rudy Vercelli said the company is willing to consider various models of business, including equity participation in foreign projects.

"We are pretty much open. This is an industry that crafts different types of models. Our participation will be on a case-by-case basis," he told Gulf News.

However, Adac is yet to identify specific market opportunities. "We are looking everywhere. We are interested in the whole airport market worldwide. It is part of our business strategy," Vercelli said.

Mandate

The company was set up in 2006 with the mandate of developing and managing aviation facilities of Abu Dhabi.

Vercelli said Adac will pursue a different business model, but did not specify how the group would evaluate potential opportunities.

Abu Dhabi International Airport will be a showcase facility for Adac. The company is also focused on developing a cargo hub at Al Ain airport. It also manages smaller aviation facilities of Al Bateen and Sir Baniyas Island.

Abu Dhabi's airport is being developed into a major aviation hub with a capacity of handling 40 million passengers per year.

The airport operated beyond its installed capacity last year and processed seven million passengers. The number is expected to grow to nine million this year. When Terminal 3 opens later this year, it will have a capacity to handle 12 million passengers annually.