Abu Dhabi International Airport
The new Abu Dhabi International Airport Terminal A, is one of the largest airport terminals in the world. Picture used for illustrative purposes. Image Credit: Abu Dhabi International Airport
Also in this package

Dubai: From today, November 1, one of the largest airport terminals in the world will officially be open in Abu Dhabi.

The new Abu Dhabi International Airport Terminal A, formerly known as Midfield Terminal during the construction phase, will have the capability to accommodate up to 45 million passengers per year and have flights to 117 destinations worldwide.

You may have seen the terminal in the past, as it was the terminal which received UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi back to the UAE after his record-breaking space mission and also the terminal that was extensively shown in the Hollywood blockbuster Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One. Soon, you will be to travel from this terminal, as it opens to public.

Here are all the details about the new Terminal A.

Starting from November 1, these airlines will operate from Terminal A:
1. Wizz Air
2. IndiGo
3. Air India
4. Air India Express
5. Vistara
6. PIA
7. Smartwings
8. Syrian Air
9. Aeroflot (Russia)
10. Cham Wings
11. Biman Bangladesh Airways
12. Badr Airlines
13. Pegasus Airlines
14. Sun Express
15. Pobeda Airlines
16. Airblue
Source: Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)

When does Terminal A open?

Abu Dhabi International Airport - Terminal A will begin operations on November 1, 2023. Etihad Airways is having its ceremonial flight today to New Delhi, October 31, ahead of the opening date.

15 international airlines will also start flying from the new terminal on November 1, according to the Abu Dhabi Media Office.

When will daily flights start?

From November 9, Etihad Airways will operate 16 daily flights, before going fully operational from its new base on November 14, together with Air Arabia Abu Dhabi and 10 other airlines.

From November 14, 28 airlines will be fully operational from Terminal A.

The operation of daily flights is divided into three phases:

Phase 1: From November 1, over 15 airlines will operate from Terminal A.
Phase 2: From November 9, Etihad Airways will operate 16 daily flights.
Phase 3: From November 14, all Etihad flights, together with Air Arabia Abu Dhabi and 10 other airlines will conduct daily flights to and from Terminal A.

Also, if you are travelling to and from Abu Dhabi during the first few weeks of November, check your terminal by contacting your airline or visit the Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) website to check your flight: abudhabiairport.ae.

Airlines and flights operating from November 9 to 14:
Phase 2: From November 9, many more flights from Etihad will start taking off from Terminal A, including popular destinations like London, several locations in India, Pakistan and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Phase 3: From November 14, Terminal A will officially become the home base for all Etihad flights. Air Arabia Abu Dhabi and 10 other airlines will also start operations from the new terminal. Here is the full list of airlines that will start operating from Terminal A during Phase 3:
1. Etihad
2. Turkish Airways
3. Air Arabia Abu Dhabi
4. Qatar Airways
5. Saudia
6. Sri Lankan Airways
7. Egypt Air
8. Gulf Air
9. Air France
10. MEA
11. Kam Air

Complimentary shuttle bus service

If you need to get to a different terminal, you can use the shuttle service provided by Abu Dhabi International Airport. It operates every 10 minutes and plies between Terminal 3 and Terminal A.

Where is the new terminal located?

Terminal A is an extension of the Abu Dhabi International Airport. The new terminal is located in the Al Matar area and is accessible via Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Street - E10.

From Abu Dhabi

Two main roads lead from the city centre to the airport - E10 highway (Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Street), and 30th Street/E20 highway (Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street)

From the E10 highway
On the highway, you will see directions for the airport clearly marked with an airplane icon on the signboard. The E10 highway leads directly to the Abu Dhabi International Airport, where you will then need to follow signs for Passenger Terminal A.

From 30th Street
Khaleej Al Arabi Street merges with the E20 highway. Continue along the E20 highway following the airplane icon on the road signs. You will have to take the Al Rawafid Street and Al Diyafah Street, and then follow the signs for Passenger Terminal A.

From Al Ain

Travel on the E22 highway (Abu Dhabi - Al Ain Road) for approximately 140km then join the E10 highway going north (Dubai bound), then follow the signs leading towards the airport and once yu reach the airport, follow the signs for Passenger Terminal A until you reach the terminal.

From Dubai

Travel on the Sheikh Zayed Road (E11 highway) for approximately 80km towards Abu Dhabi. The road then becomes the E10 highway continuing towards Abu Dhabi city. Just after the signs for Yas and Saadiyat Islands, there is an exit to Abu Dhabi International Airport Terminal A. Follow the clearly marked signposts until you reach the airport.

Biometric touchpoints throughout the airport

According to Etihad Airways, it will take passengers only 19 minutes to walk from the curb to the gate, which is the process from checking in to reaching the boarding gate. There will be 34 eGates with passports and eye scanners and 38 immigration counters.

When fully operational, Terminal A will use facial recognition technology to screen passengers and minimise wait times.

In the future, the new terminal will have 35,000 square metres of retail space with 163 shops and food and beverage outlets, offering a wide variety of shopping and dining opportunities.