Abu Dhabi International Airport has confirmed that its new $3 billion Terminal A will officially open on November 1, 2023, although the switchover could take up to two weeks, and airlines aren’t expected to have fully moved into the 742,000 square metre terminal until November 14.
Previously known as the Midfield Terminal during its delay-prone construction, Terminal A will be the new home of Etihad Airways and will also be shared by 27 other airlines that fly to Abu Dhabi.
The terminal was originally slated to open in 2017, but the opening date was pushed back on several occasions, and in 2020, when the pandemic struck, construction work ended up being completely suspended.
At one point, there were even rumours that the project had been cancelled due to major cost overruns, although the airport finally confirmed the terminal would open at some point in November 2023.
Etihad Airways is expected to operate a ceremonial flight to Terminal A on October 31 before the building finally opens its doors to the public on November 1.
On the opening day, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi and 15 other airlines will have moved into the terminal and from November 9, Etihad Airways will shift 16 flights to Terminal A.
Etihad Airways is aiming to complete its switchover by November 14 which will be the same day that Air Arabia Abu Dhabi and all remaining airlines move their operations to Terminal A.
Last month, the terminal underwent its largest live trial ahead of the grand opening involving 6,000 volunteers who posed as passengers to stress test the terminal.
Terminal A will be able to handle up to 45 million passengers per year, and process as many as 11,000 passengers per hour.
