As the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix approaches, Abu Dhabi Airports (ADA) is ready for one of the busiest periods of its year.
Extra passenger and aircraft traffic are expected at Abu Dhabi International Airport between today and Monday and preparations have been made to ensure all visitors experience a smooth arrival and departure.
“With the Smart Travel system in place, passengers will be able to move through airport processing easily and quickly,” ADA said. “First-time visitors will be registered for Smart Travel and given a sticker on their passport upon successful completion so that they can then proceed directly to the Smart Travel gates upon departure.”
ADA has put in place a raft of measures to ensure the many thousands of fans expected enjoy the whole race experience, from arrival to departure.
“Over the Grand Prix weekend we’ll see 60,000 people from more than 170 countries soaking up the history, technology, glamour, bravery and skills associated with Formula 1,” Al Tareq Al Ameri, the chief executive of Yas Marina Circuit, where the race is held, told One Coast website this month.
“Ever since we hosted the first day-night Grand Prix in 2009, we have seen incredible scenes unfold at Yas Marina Circuit – and I’m sure this year will be no different. We predict that we will once again sell out, especially with the After-Race Concerts line-up we have this year, its set to be a fun-filled, action packed weekend!”
The Grand Prix in 2015 saw the sell-out event hit record numbers of overseas visitors to the circuit, according to Rasgaira Events Consultancy. Of these almost half came from Britain, said Mr Al Ameri.
“The United Kingdom is a very important market for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, as around 40 per cent of overseas visitors travel from there,” he said.
ADA has put additional staff in place across many departments at peak times over the race period, including at customs and the duty free and food and beverage outlets.
Television screens in the airport will be showing the race live and duty free outlets will be offering special promotions and giveaways.
At Al Bateen Executive Airport, fans arriving by private jet for race weekend will have landing charges waived, be given free parking for three days, and can take advantage of special jet cleaning packages, ADA said.
“As F1 week is one of the busiest periods of the year at Abu Dhabi International Airport and Al Bateen Executive Airport, we work very closely with all stakeholders to ensure that these few days pass as smoothly as possible,” said Mohammed Al Katheeri, the acting chief operations officer for Abu Dhabi Airports.
“We aim to provide the best possible service and the warm Arabian hospitality that we are known for, to ensure that all travellers start and finish their trip happy and relaxed.”
Taking place on November 25, 26 and 27, the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is the Middle East’s biggest international sporting event and the final race of the 2016 F1 season.
chnelson@thenational.ae
Follow The National's Business section on Twitter
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Sustainable Development Goals
1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation
10. Reduce inequality within and among countries
11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its effects
14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Haltia.ai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202023%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECo-founders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Arto%20Bendiken%20and%20Talal%20Thabet%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20AI%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2041%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20About%20%241.7%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Self%2C%20family%20and%20friends%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Film: Raid
Dir: Rajkumar Gupta
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Ileana D'cruz and Saurabh Shukla
Verdict: Three stars
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder turbo
Transmission: CVT
Power: 170bhp
Torque: 220Nm
Price: Dh98,900
Ronaldo's record at Man Utd
Seasons 2003/04 - 2008/09
Appearances 230
Goals 115
What is Reform?
Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.
It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party.
Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives.
After Brexit took place, the party focused on the reformation of British democracy.
Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024.
The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court.
