• Abu Dhabi International Airport opened on January 2, 1982. Photo: Abu Dhabi Airports
    Abu Dhabi International Airport opened on January 2, 1982. Photo: Abu Dhabi Airports
  • It replaced Al Bateen Airport, which still operates today. Silvia Razgova / The National
    It replaced Al Bateen Airport, which still operates today. Silvia Razgova / The National
  • The airport was designed by the late French architect, Paul Andreu, who was also responsible for the design of Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris. Photo: Abu Dhabi Airports
    The airport was designed by the late French architect, Paul Andreu, who was also responsible for the design of Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris. Photo: Abu Dhabi Airports
  • The original Terminal 1 featured a main circular satellite terminal around which planes could arrive and depart quickly. Photo: Abu Dhabi Airports
    The original Terminal 1 featured a main circular satellite terminal around which planes could arrive and depart quickly. Photo: Abu Dhabi Airports
  • Etihad became the national carrier and the home airline in 2003. Getty
    Etihad became the national carrier and the home airline in 2003. Getty
  • A worker cleans a window with an Etihad plane in the background at Terminal 3 at Abu Dhabi International Airport in 2009. Jaime Puebla / The National
    A worker cleans a window with an Etihad plane in the background at Terminal 3 at Abu Dhabi International Airport in 2009. Jaime Puebla / The National
  • View of Abu Dhabi International Airport. Photo: Abu Dhabi Airports
    View of Abu Dhabi International Airport. Photo: Abu Dhabi Airports
  • An airport employee stands in front of the newly implemented E-Border gate, part of the smart travel system, at the Abu Dhabi International Airport on April 13, 2016. Christopher Pike / The National
    An airport employee stands in front of the newly implemented E-Border gate, part of the smart travel system, at the Abu Dhabi International Airport on April 13, 2016. Christopher Pike / The National

Abu Dhabi airport celebrates 40 years


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Abu Dhabi International Airport celebrated its 40th birthday on Sunday, state news agency Wam has reported.

Construction began in 1979 and it opened on January 2, 1982.

The airport replaced Al Bateen Airport, which still operates today, chiefly for private and charter planes.

It was designed by Paul Andreu, the late French architect who was also behind Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris.

Terminal 1 originally featured a main circular satellite terminal around which planes could arrive and depart quickly.

The ceiling in Abu Dhabi airport's original terminal. Photo: Abu Dhabi Airports
The ceiling in Abu Dhabi airport's original terminal. Photo: Abu Dhabi Airports

Its centrepiece is the circular main waiting area, which resembles a palm tree.

During the late 1990s and early 2000s, the terminal was expanded to cater for the increase in passenger numbers.

Etihad became the national carrier and the home airline in 2003, which was a catalyst for rapid growth and paved the way for the opening of Terminal 2 in September 2005, a second runway in 2008 and Terminal 3 in January 2009.

“Abu Dhabi International has a proud history of providing world-class infrastructure and top-flight service, while serving as a catalyst for growth for 40 of our proud nation’s 50 years of achievement,” said Shareef Al Hashmi, chief executive of Abu Dhabi Airports.

“As consumer confidence rebounds and traffic gradually recovers, we will continue to explore new technologies, products and ways of doing business that will drive improved sustainability and create industry-leading airport experiences. As proud as we are of our past achievements, we are equally excited about our bright future.”

Abu Dhabi's new Midfield Terminal when it opens will set the course for an even brighter aviation future.

“Abu Dhabi International Airport has connected the world to Abu Dhabi for 40 years and fuelled the emirate’s emergence as a leading destination for tourism, trade and commerce,” said Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon, chairman of Abu Dhabi Airports.

“It was the late [Founding Father] Sheikh Zayed ... who had the foresight to build the airport, and thanks to his vision Abu Dhabi Airports has built a legacy forged by collaboration, innovation and service,” he said.

“It is a legacy that will continue to grow over the next 40 years, as it supports the ongoing social and economic development of Abu Dhabi and the UAE.”

Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
​​​​​​​Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km

Skoda Superb Specs

Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol

Power: 190hp

Torque: 320Nm

Price: From Dh147,000

Available: Now

Groom and Two Brides

Director: Elie Semaan

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla

Rating: 3/5

A Dog's Journey 

Directed by: Gail Mancuso

Starring: Dennis Quaid, Josh Gad, Marg Helgenberger, Betty Gilpin, Kathryn Prescott

3 out of 5 stars

The biog

Name: Gul Raziq

From: Charsadda, Pakistan

Family: Wife and six children

Favourite holes at Al Ghazal: 15 and 8

Golf Handicap: 6

Childhood sport: cricket 

The specs

Price, base / as tested Dh1,100,000 (est)

Engine 5.2-litre V10

Gearbox seven-speed dual clutch

Power 630bhp @ 8,000rpm

Torque 600Nm @ 6,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined 15.7L / 100km (est) 

Key figures in the life of the fort

Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.

Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.

Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.

Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae

The chef's advice

Troy Payne, head chef at Abu Dhabi’s newest healthy eatery Sanderson’s in Al Seef Resort & Spa, says singles need to change their mindset about how they approach the supermarket.

“They feel like they can’t buy one cucumber,” he says. “But I can walk into a shop – I feed two people at home – and I’ll walk into a shop and I buy one cucumber, I’ll buy one onion.”

Mr Payne asks for the sticker to be placed directly on each item, rather than face the temptation of filling one of the two-kilogram capacity plastic bags on offer.

The chef also advises singletons not get too hung up on “organic”, particularly high-priced varieties that have been flown in from far-flung locales. Local produce is often grown sustainably, and far cheaper, he says.

The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

RESULTS

6pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah – Group 2 (PA) $40,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: AF Alajaj, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)

6.35pm: Race of Future – Handicap (TB) $80,000 (Turf) 2,410m
Winner: Global Storm, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

7.10pm: UAE 2000 Guineas – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Azure Coast, Antonio Fresu, Pavel Vashchenko

7.45pm: Business Bay Challenge – Listed (TB) $100,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Storm Damage, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor

20.20pm: Curlin Stakes – Listed (TB) $100,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Appreciated, Fernando Jara, Doug O’Neill

8.55pm: Singspiel Stakes – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Lord Glitters, Daniel Tudhope, David O'Meara

9.30pm: Al Shindagha Sprint – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Meraas, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi

Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
Director: Venkat Prabhu
Rating: 2/5
T20 World Cup Qualifier

Final: Netherlands beat PNG by seven wickets

Qualified teams

1. Netherlands
2. PNG
3. Ireland
4. Namibia
5. Scotland
6. Oman

T20 World Cup 2020, Australia

Group A: Sri Lanka, PNG, Ireland, Oman
Group B: Bangladesh, Netherlands, Namibia, Scotland

SERIE A FIXTURES

Saturday Benevento v Atalanta (2pm), Genoa v Bologna (5pm), AC Milan v Torino (7.45pm)

Sunday Roma v Inter Milan (3.30pm), Udinese v Napoli, Hellas Verona v Crotone, Parma v Lazio (2pm), Fiorentina v Cagliari (9pm), Juventus v Sassuolo (11.45pm)

Monday Spezia v Sampdoria (11.45pm)

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Updated: January 03, 2022, 8:16 AM