Abu Dhabi's Al Bateen Airport to close for runway upgrades

Al Bateen Executive Airport in Abu Dhabi is to close for more than two months for runway upgrades.

Abu Dhabi Airports on Tuesday said the expansion will allow the airport to handle larger aircraft.

The refurbishment runs from May 11 to July 20 and during this time only helicopters can use the airport.

Full service is expected to resume on July 21.

Al Bateen Airport opened in the late 1960s. Photo: Al Ittihad

Al Bateen chiefly handles private jets but it was once Abu Dhabi's main airport.

It opened in the late 1960s to replace the old sabhka landing strip in the city centre. It even hosted an early visit from Concorde in 1974, part of a demonstration tour to win orders but also to prove the jet’s capability in hot temperatures.

Al Bateen had a distinctive modern concrete terminal and gave its name to Airport Road — now Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Street — which for many years was the main motorway out of the city, surrounded by nothing by sand.

But even Al Bateen could not cope with the surge of people flying into the fast-expanding city on the back of the oil boom.

Al Bateen functioned as the main airport until January 1982 when the current main airport opened to cater for increased demand.

In the years since, Al Bateen functioned as a military base before becoming a dedicated private jet airport.

Abu Dhabi Airports said it was in close contact with its stakeholders and customers to ensure minimal disruption during the refurbishment.

Al Bateen will also host Abu Dhabi Air Expo from November 1 to 3. The event is expected to attract more than 18,000 visitors and host more than 300 manufacturers and suppliers.

Abu Dhabi's rich aviation history - in pictures

An aerial shot of a plane over Abu Dhabi in the early 1960s after taking off from a sand runway close to Sultan bin Zayed the First (Muroor Road) and 17th Street. Photo: David Riley

Passengers wait with their suitcases for a flight at Abu Dhabi's sand airstrip. Photo: BP Archive

On approach to Abu Dhabi's first airfield. The photograph was taken in the mid-1960s. Photo: Michael Stokes

Al Bateen Airport, pictured in the 1970s, replaced the sand strip. Photo: Al Ittihad

Concorde makes an appearance at Al Bateen Airport in August, 1974. The visit was part of a demonstration tour to drum up new customers but also to prove the jet’s capability in hot weather. Photo: Peter Alvis

Abu Dhabi International Airport opened in 1982. It was designed by French architect Paul Andreu with the idea that planes would surround a satellite, so they could arrive and depart quickly. Photo: Abu Dhabi Airports

The ceiling of Abu Dhabi airport, said to be designed like a palm tree against the sky. Photo: Abu Dhabi Airports

The circular design of Abu Dhabi airport's terminal placed the gates close to each other so people could access planes quickly. Delores Johnson / The National

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