Terminal A will handle 65 million passengers by 2032
Big changes are taking off at Zayed International Airport.
Just two years after opening its spectacular Terminal A, the airport is already gearing up for a huge expansion by 2032.
Demand is soaring and Etihad Airways has ambitions to match, with construction work kicking off in just a couple of years.
The news was shared by Elena Sorlini, managing director and chief executive at Abu Dhabi Airports, who said at the Skift Global Forum East event (via The National): “We opened in November 2023 and at the first board meeting, I broke the news to the board that we had to think about expansion.
“By 2032, we need to have the expansion ready. And hence, we are already working on the detailed master plan of the expansion … we are planning to start digging literally in a couple of years.”
Abu Dhabi has fast become a tourism hub meaning more flights and more passengers.
Terminal A can currently handle around 45 million passengers, but that capacity is set to jump to 65 million as Abu Dhabi continues to welcome growing tourism and global connections.
Biometric facial recognition
One of the best aspects of Abu Dhabi airport is how easy and quickly you can navigate check-in and security, and this has been enhanced recently with biometric facial recognition.
With 60 per cent of travellers currently connecting through Abu Dhabi, this upgrade means faster movement, shorter queues, and a stress-free flow from gate to gate.
You might also like: Etihad Airways just announced its 31st new route this year
Behind the scenes, a next-level “digital twin” system is being put in place; a live virtual version of the airport powered by AI.
It predicts pressure points, monitors delays, and keeps everything running like clockwork. From parking to queue times to tailored retail and lounge suggestions, the airport app will become your new travel bestie.
Passenger numbers
Passenger numbers tell the story: around 33 million people are expected through the capital’s airports this year, up from 29.4 million last year.
With Etihad Airways targeting 38 million passengers by 2030, the future of air travel in Abu Dhabi is only getting bigger, smarter, and more exciting.
Zayed International Airport is evolving into one of the world’s most seamless, tech-forward travel hubs in the word.
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