The easing of coronavirus-related travel restrictions around the globe has driven up passenger numbers. Photo: Abu Dhabi Airports
The easing of coronavirus-related travel restrictions around the globe has driven up passenger numbers. Photo: Abu Dhabi Airports
The easing of coronavirus-related travel restrictions around the globe has driven up passenger numbers. Photo: Abu Dhabi Airports
The easing of coronavirus-related travel restrictions around the globe has driven up passenger numbers. Photo: Abu Dhabi Airports

Abu Dhabi International Airport reopens Terminal 2 as passenger numbers surge


Deena Kamel
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Abu Dhabi International Airport recently reopened its Terminal 2 amid a surge in passenger demand, routes and airline customers.

Five airlines now operate more than 50 weekly flights at Terminal 2, bringing the number of airlines operating from all of the airport's terminals to 26.

A further ramp up of capacity at Terminal 2 is scheduled during May with the addition of 21 weekly flights, operator Abu Dhabi Airports said on Monday.

“Retail and duty-free services are also being reintroduced, offering passengers a full range of choice before their flight,” the airport operator said.

The surge in passenger numbers comes as coronavirus-related travel restrictions around the globe eased and markets reopened, unleashing pent-up demand for air travel.

Abu Dhabi International Airport handled 2.56 million passengers in the first quarter of 2022, a more than fourfold increase from the same period last year due to a rebound in demand.

The number of flights rose 39 per cent annually to 22,689 in the three-month period.

The relaxation of travel restrictions to and from India, the reopening of borders in Australia and Singapore and the removal of mandatory PCR testing for passengers travelling to the UAE capital contributed to the surge in passenger numbers, Abu Dhabi Airports said.

The airport operator expects 10.7 million passengers to pass through Abu Dhabi’s main airport in 2022, more than double last year’s number.

With multibillion-dollar investments in attractions such as Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Guggenheim, which is set to be completed by 2025, Abu Dhabi is strengthening its position as a leading tourist destination.

Etihad Airways is “cautiously optimistic” about the travel outlook for 2022 amid strong passenger demand and steady cargo rates as the aviation industry recovers from the coronavirus-induced slowdown, Tony Douglas, chief executive of Etihad Aviation Group, said at the Arabian Travel Market fair in Dubai earlier this month.

The airline is a major contributor to Abu Dhabi airport’s growth.

Abu Dhabi International Airport — in pictures

Terminal 2 at Abu Dhabi International Airport has recently re-opened amid a surge in passenger demand. Photo: Abu Dhabi Airports
Terminal 2 at Abu Dhabi International Airport has recently re-opened amid a surge in passenger demand. Photo: Abu Dhabi Airports
About Takalam

Date started: early 2020

Founders: Khawla Hammad and Inas Abu Shashieh

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: HealthTech and wellness

Number of staff: 4

Funding to date: Bootstrapped

The bio

Favourite food: Japanese

Favourite car: Lamborghini

Favourite hobby: Football

Favourite quote: If your dreams don’t scare you, they are not big enough

Favourite country: UAE

Pharaoh's curse

British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.

The BIO:

He became the first Emirati to climb Mount Everest in 2011, from the south section in Nepal

He ascended Mount Everest the next year from the more treacherous north Tibetan side

By 2015, he had completed the Explorers Grand Slam

Last year, he conquered K2, the world’s second-highest mountain located on the Pakistan-Chinese border

He carries dried camel meat, dried dates and a wheat mixture for the final summit push

His new goal is to climb 14 peaks that are more than 8,000 metres above sea level

Army of the Dead

Director: Zack Snyder

Stars: Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Omari Hardwick, Ana de la Reguera

Three stars

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%3Cp%3ECreator%3A%20Tima%20Shomali%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%C2%A0Tara%20Abboud%2C%C2%A0Kira%20Yaghnam%2C%20Tara%20Atalla%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
RESULTS

6.30pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group One (PA) US$65,000 (Dirt) 1,600m

Winner RB Money To Burn, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer).

7.05pm Handicap (TB) $175,000 (Turf) 1,200m

Winner Ekhtiyaar, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson.

7.40pm UAE 2000 Guineas Trial Conditions (TB) $100,000 (D) 1,600m

Winner Commanding, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.

8.15pm Singspiel Stakes Group Two (TB) $250,000 (T) 1,800m

Winner Benbatl, Christophe Soumillon, Saeed bin Suroor.

8.50pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m

Winner Zakouski, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.

9.25pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group Two (TB) $350,000 (D) 1,600m

Winner Kimbear, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.

10pm Dubai Trophy Conditions (TB) $100,000 (T) 1,200m

Winner Platinum Star, Christophe Soumillon, Saeed bin Suroor.

10.35pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m

Winner Key Victory, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby.

What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
 
  • Grade 9 = above an A*
  • Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
  • Grade 7 = grade A
  • Grade 6 = just above a grade B
  • Grade 5 = between grades B and C
  • Grade 4 = grade C
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  • Grade 2 = between grades E and F
  • Grade 1 = between grades F and G
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The%20specs
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Company%20Profile
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Updated: May 23, 2022, 11:12 AM`