Abu Dhabi Airports Company (Adac) has commenced the management and operation of a new dedicated air terminal on Sir Bani Yas Island, off the coast of Abu Dhabi.

The terminal was built by Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), which is developing the Sir Bani Yas Island tourism proposition as part of its multi-experiential Desert Islands destination.

Under a partnership agreement between TDIC and ADAC, the island’s airport is being additionally upgraded to a fully-certified airport capable of receiving domestic and short-haul international commercial flights.

The full schedule of further upgrade work is due for completion by the end of 2010, said a top TDIC official.

The new terminal will begin receiving dedicated scheduled flights from Abu Dhabi International Airpot to Sir Bani Yas Island later in December when passengers arrive on TDIC’s two Cessna Caravan aircraft, said Mubarak Al Muhairi, managing director, TDIC and director general of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority.

The new air service will have a flight time of 45 minutes to the island which lies 240 kilometres from the UAE capital.

“Development of a dedicated aviation infrastructure on Sir Bani Yas Island will enhance the international tourism potential of Desert Islands. Ease of accessibility is crucial to any destination and together with ADAC, we are ensuring tourists have a seamless experience when travelling to this remarkable island,” he noted.

Adac is a key stakeholder in Abu Dhabi’s expanding international tourism ambitions with Abu Dhabi International Airport undergoing massive investment and expansion to deliver a world-class civil aviation infrastructure, said its chief.

“Tourism is an increasingly important industry for Abu Dhabi and we wholeheartedly support the Government’s efforts, through TDIC, to create world-class tourism destinations," remarked Khalifa Al Mazrouei, chairman of Adac.

"We have an important role to play in ensuring that these developments are linked to their markets by a modern, efficient transport infrastructure.”

“The Desert Islands is an excellent example of how we can use our experience to connect a valuable tourism asset with the rest of the UAE, and internationally, through Abu Dhabi International Airport, which is itself one of the region’s most important tourism hubs,” he added.

Sir Bani Yas Island, the former private nature reserve of the late UAE president Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is at the core of the Desert Islands proposition.

TDIC recently launched the first phase of the eight-island destination when it opened Sir Bani Yas Island to tourists for the first time.

Guests can now stay at the boutique Desert Islands Resort & Spa, which is operated by the award-winning Thai chain Anantara and take part in a number of adventure activities.

These include 4x4 guided tours of the Arabian Wildlife Park which is home to a range of previously endangered species and one of the world’s largest herds of Arabian Oryx.-TradeArabia News Service