Abu Dhabi airport sees more growth

Abu Dhabi's airport expects continued double-digit growth in passenger numbers near term as its national carrier Etihad Airways develops and the emirate continues to expand its economy, a top official at the airport's operator said. James Bennett, chief executive of Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), also said a contract to build the airport's mid-field terminal would be completed by the second quarter of 2012. The airport saw a 12.2 per cent growth in passenger traffic in 2010, handling around 11 million passengers. In the first nine months of this year, passenger traffic stood at nine million. "We anticipate finishing the year at over 12 million and we'll see double digit growth for the next few years," Bennet told Reuters. "The airport infrastructure will support Etihad Airways and Abu Dhabi's 2030 vision of developing into a business and tourist centre," he said. Abu Dhabi is investing billions of dollars in industry, tourism, infrastructure and property to diversify its economy.