Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi is officially the most beautiful airport in the world.
It topped a list of more than 400 airports to take the title at this year's Prix Versailles international architecture awards, held at Unesco's headquarters in Paris on Tuesday.
The airport – named in honour of UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan – took the top honours ahead of Felipe Angeles International Airport in Zumpango, Mexico, noted for its nods to the country's indigenous cultural heritage
Other airports included in the list were Changi International Airport's Terminal 2, which was recognised for its interiors, and Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, which was lauded for its exteriors. Logan International Airport Terminal E in Boston and Kansas City International Airport, both in the US, also made the final list, as did Felipe Angeles International Airport in Mexico.
Striking sculptural design
"Zayed International Airport embodies the UAE's vision for the future of aviation, blending ambition with innovation, and a commitment to shaping the future of airport experiences," said Elena Sorlini, managing director and chief executive at Abu Dhabi Airports. "This is a very proud moment for Abu Dhabi Airports made even more significant as it coincides with our first anniversary and the Eid Al Etihad 53 celebrations. It is a moment of great pride for Abu Dhabi and the UAE."
Abu Dhabi's Midfield Terminal, also known as Terminal A, at Zayed International Airport was noted for its striking design, not least the building's sculptural roof, which is inspired by the sand dunes of the desert. Designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox architects, it casts shadows on the surrounding landscape and is visible for miles. But this is not just a striking design element, it is also functional. The roof's unique rolling shape helps shade the building, reducing energy consumption.
The airport dominates the Abu Dhabi skyline long before travellers reach it, its roof at once captivating and intimidating. Stepping through the glass-fronted entrance involves passing under a 50-metre-tall facade that leaves passengers feeling dwarfed. Inside, the sky-high supporting arches are a design feature in their own right.
Laid out in an X shape, the terminal has four piers, each themed around one of the city's natural elements – desert, sea, city and oasis. Cultural features like this are a key part of the airport's fabric, from the Islamic geometric patterns incorporated into design elements to the traditional crafts and artefacts on display in designated areas. Travellers can also enjoy Emirati hospitality and Arabian coffee and dates are freely offered.
A 22-metre-tall installation in the arrivals hall is one of the airport's most striking features. Called Sana Al Nour, the piece is inspired by Islamic architecture used in traditional barjeel wind towers and is one of the largest public artworks in the Middle East. The vase-like structure hovers between the departures and arrivals areas and is both beautiful and functional, helping to filter daylight and playing an integral part in the airport's energy-saving airflow design by directing air and light to reduce the building's energy demand by 10 per cent. The installation has a 30-metre diameter, weighs more than 100 tons and is made up of 1,632 glass panels which create a pearlescent glow. At night, it takes on another dimension thanks to white and coloured LED sources which reflect light up and down the structure.
Before leaving the airport, passengers will see The Shell, a sculptural feature created from glass, polished brass and steel – a striking mix of textures and materials. Inspired by Abu Dhabi's maritime heritage, this structure functions as both a piece of art and an orientation point.
Some of the best views of the airport are reserved for arriving passengers. The striking multistorey Feature Staircase links the arrivals corridor with the arrivals hall and offers panoramic views over the airport's central space.
Function as well as form
Zayed International Airport is not only the world's most beautiful, it also uses state-of-the-art technology to improve passenger journeys.
The X-shape layout reduces the average walking distance between points for arriving and departing passengers, as well as for those transiting. Check-in is designed to be seamless with modern counters and self-service kiosks to enable efficient processing.
Advanced security screening systems are in place, with biometric technology used to process travellers. Part of the airport's Smart Travel project, this system will be fully implemented by 2025 when biometric authentication AI will be incorporated into all security checkpoints throughout Terminal A.
The airport is also the only one in the Middle East that offers preclearance facilities to travellers flying to the US. These allow travellers to enter the US as domestic passengers, having cleared international immigration before leaving the UAE.
Zayed International Airport is the fastest-growing airport in the Middle East in terms of international seat capacity. The latest figures show a quarter-on-quarter rise with the airport handling more than 21 million passengers as of September 30.
And Zayed International Airport was not the only regional destination to feature in this year's Prix Versailles awards. Two hotels – Raffles Al Areen Palace in Bahrain and the Ned Doha in Qatar – were also recognised, as were the Oman Across Ages Museum in Manah and the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza.
The world's most beautiful airports in 2024
• Zayed International Airport, Abu Dhabi – Prix Versailles
• Changi Airport, Terminal 2, Singapore – Special Prize for an Interior
• Suvarnabhumi Airport, Midfield Satellite 1 Bangkok, Thailand – Special Prize for an Exterior
• Felipe Angeles International Airport, Zumpango, Mexico – World Selection
• Logan International Airport, Terminal E, Boston, US – World Selection
• Kansas City International Airport, Missouri, US – World Selection
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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
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EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
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On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
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The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
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Dialysis is a way of cleaning your blood when your kidneys fail and can no longer do the job.
It gets rid of your body's wastes, extra salt and water, and helps to control your blood pressure. The main cause of kidney failure is diabetes and hypertension.
There are two kinds of dialysis — haemodialysis and peritoneal.
In haemodialysis, blood is pumped out of your body to an artificial kidney machine that filter your blood and returns it to your body by tubes.
In peritoneal dialysis, the inside lining of your own belly acts as a natural filter. Wastes are taken out by means of a cleansing fluid which is washed in and out of your belly in cycles.
It isn’t an option for everyone but if eligible, can be done at home by the patient or caregiver. This, as opposed to home haemodialysis, is covered by insurance in the UAE.
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Something of a fashion anomaly, normcore is essentially a celebration of the unremarkable. The term was first popularised by an article in New York magazine in 2014 and has been dubbed “ugly”, “bland’ and "anti-style" by fashion writers. It’s hallmarks are comfort, a lack of pretentiousness and neutrality – it is a trend for those who would rather not stand out from the crowd. For the most part, the style is unisex, favouring loose silhouettes, thrift-shop threads, baseball caps and boyish trainers. It is important to note that normcore is not synonymous with cheapness or low quality; there are high-fashion brands, including Parisian label Vetements, that specialise in this style. Embraced by fashion-forward street-style stars around the globe, it’s uptake in the UAE has been relatively slow.
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A new relationship with the old country
Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates
The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:
ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.
ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.
ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.
ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.
DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.
Signed
Geoffrey Arthur Sheikh Zayed
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Ingredients
1 tbsp Spirulina powder
1 banana
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1 tbsp fresh turmeric or turmeric powder
½ cup fresh spinach leaves
½ cup vegan broth
2 crushed ice cubes (optional)
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In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
