The second largest in the Arab Emirates, the Abu Dhabi International Airport is approximately 32 km from the capital and is managed by ADAC (Abu Dhabi Airports Company). By virtue of the great volume of air traffic generated over the latter years, the third Terminal was inaugurated during the first half of 2009; this, together with the previous two, covers an area of about 350,000 sqm. Ease in reaching the Airport is not only optimal for Abu Dhabi, but also for the other Emirates or neighbouring Countries of the Arabian Peninsula: there are in fact three connecting motorways, besides the availability of an efficient and comfortable GT bus service operating over all seven Emirates of the Confederation.
In 2008, passenger traffic at Abu Dhabi International Airport reached the considerable flow of 9 million people, recording an increase of over 30% compared with the previous year. A percentage increase which, also thanks to the opening of the third Terminal, has been confirmed in 2009.
Also owing to the excellent geo-strategic position of the Emirates, Abu Dhabi International Airport (together with that of Dubai) represents one of the main stopovers on long-range intercontinental routes, for which it is able to offer innovative infrastructures in terms of security, efficiency and comfort. It is precisely around the constantly growing stopovers (intermediate stops of 5-6 hours and more), that the Airport Authorities grasped the opening and built a wellness, shopping and relaxation network that has proved to be so attractive that the stopover has become almost more desirable than the final destination! The offer ranges from wellness packages (based on de-cramping, de-stressing and relaxing massages, lymphatic drainage, shiatsu, foot reflexology and many others) to delicious, refreshing and energizing snacks, accompanied by light beverages, particularly important for reinstating optimal hydration levels (often undermined by the excessively dry air-conditioning of the aircraft), and to shopping & dining packages and various combinations of multiple services.
Packages that prove to be not only effective and productive at that moment (since they undoubtedly enjoy considerable success with the public), but also over the medium and long term as well. Imagine an air trip of 20 and more hours, with an intermediate stop of 7 hours in any one of the airports on the planet; now think of how these hours could seem unending, considering the in-built fatigue caused by jetlag and sheer tiredness, should you be forced to while them away on an airport transit lounge chair, or part of it in a restaurant, or ambling through duty-free shops (until your legs... hold up). Well, those hours would seem everlasting to you and would contribute towards making you arrive at destination with additional baggage: intolerable tiredness and STRESS. Instead, by employing those hours in letting yourself be pampered by relaxation and well-being, in softly lit environments, lulled by music and soothing, restful lights, where skilful hands know how to rid you of your accumulated exhaustion ... A similar experience undoubtedly leaves a truly indelible memory: one that will automatically link it to the name of the city in whose airport it was enjoyed. And so, Abu Dhabi or Dubai will become immediately synonymous with well-being and pleasantness, accompanied by a lingering wish to return and, perhaps, leave the airport, even though magnificent, to visit and discover the city. Without doubt a great marketing idea, which is increasingly spreading to other international airports throughout the world.
Obviously, the Airport also offers a complete and avant-garde network of services for the traveller: information and welcoming offices (also managed by hotel groups), banks and foreign exchange offices, hire offices, shopping centres and souks (in which to literally "lose oneself", for the innumerable commercial proposals that range from the Arabic and Bedouin crafts tradition to major international designer labels), restaurants inspired by the most varied international gastronomies, coffee bars and confectioneries, multiplex cinemas, hotels, travel agencies and excursion offices.
The Arab Emirates National airline, Etihad Airways, mainly operates from the Abu Dhabi International Airport, allowing connection with all the main countries on the planet. Etihad distinguishes itself on the international scenario for its extremely refined image, advanced technology and security, as well as the attention and care paid to every detail and the resulting customer satisfaction. In contraposition to its many, unquestionable merits, acknowledgement must be paid to Etihad Airways for its fair price policy which, in the economy class, makes it accessible even to the average traveller, to whom they in any case offer the superior competence and courtesy of the cabin staff, in a superbly well appointed and never oppressive environment. Furthermore, Etihad’s advertising marketing action is very forceful, with a constant and weighty presence at exhibitions and commercial venues as well as at events of greater media resonance.