Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) announced that the second runway at Abu Dhabi International Airport is now operational, following the completion of the main construction and certification by the GCAA.

An Etihad A320 made history today when it became the first plane to take off carrying a party of media.

The new Dh1 billion, 4,100m runway is located two kilometres to the north of the existing runway.

Work on the project began in May 2006 and includes the development of the airstrip, two major taxi-ways, two cross-field taxi-ways and two fire stations. 

'ADAC has achieved significant progress in the journey to transform Abu Dhabi International into a world class gateway airport. The new runway will form a key part of our plan to increase total capacity at the airport that will culminate with the construction and completion of the midfield terminal facility,' said Khalifa Al Mazrouei, ADAC chairman.

ADAC also announced that operations at its new Terminal 3 facility had commenced.

'We have adopted a phased approach to the opening of the new terminal. Working closely with Etihad Airways our aim is to increase the number of departures from Terminal 3, before moving on to accepting arriving planes.'

'The next phase will see passengers checking in through Terminal 3 with a final phase expected to encompass the opening of a full duty free retail and food and beverage village early in the New Year.'

Other features of the airport masterplan include the construction of a new air traffic control complex and the 500,000 sq metre MTC complex, in addition to extensive cargo and maintenance facilities.  An extensive business park and logistics warehousing are under construction with Phase I set to come on line early next year.-TradeArabia News Service