Tag Archives: Abu Dhabi Airports

Abu Dhabi Airports recently celebrated Customer Service Week from October 1 to 5, in recognition of the crucial role played by its customer services agents in ensuring the highest standards of excellence and customer happiness across Abu Dhabi Airports’ facilities and terminals. Marking the occasion with a number of activities and events, every day of the week, a senior member of Abu Dhabi Airports’ leadership team took on the role of a customer service agent at Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH), serving passengers and airport visitors alongside fellow employees at the Capital’s airport. The participating executives included the company’s CEO, DCEO, and CCO. The week-long celebration is the result of Abu Dhabi Airports’ commitment to enhancing employee engagement and the National Programme for Happiness and Positivity. In addition to the participation of the senior executive team, all customer service agents across Abu Dhabi Airports’ facilities and terminals received personalised letters of appreciation for their hard work and continued service and dedication to bringing positivity and happiness to travellers across Abu Dhabi. Bryan Thompson, CEO, Abu Dhabi Airports, said, “At Abu Dhabi Airports we seek to embody the renowned Arabian hospitality, and our focus on customer service this week comes in recognition of the fact that our customer service agents are the face of our business. From the moment travellers arrive, to the moment they depart, our customer service agents work hard to ensure everyone’s needs are met with positivity and happiness.”

Abu Dhabi Airports, in collaboration with Emirates Red Crescent, has launched its ‘Flight of the Children of Zayed’ initiative, under which it recently organised a trip for 31 orphans to Sir Bani Yas Island. The initiative comes under the framework of Abu Dhabi Airports’ ongoing corporate social responsibility (CSR) and Year of Zayed programme. Abu Dhabi Airports is committed to organising various social initiatives and sponsoring charities in line with its vision of becoming the world’s leading airports group. As a part of the ‘Flight of the Children of Zayed’, Abu Dhabi Airports collaborated with various authorities, including the Federal Authority For Identity and Citizenship, Abu Dhabi Police GHQ, Abu Dhabi Department of Culture & Tourism, the Tourism Development & Investment Company that sponsored the recreational activities and accommodation on the island and Abu Dhabi Aviation that provided air transportation. The initiative included a safari on the island and a variety of water sports. The children also planted trees bearing their names and received souvenirs. Abu Dhabi Airports commended the staff across all the organisations involved that contributed, coordinated and implemented the ‘Flight of the Children of Zayed’ initiative.

Abu Dhabi Airport has announced the opening of Aerotel’s new airport transit sleeping facility at the Abu Dhabi International Airport. The latest addition marks the airport’s second facility that is operated by Aerotel of Plaza Premium Group. Open 24 hours a day, the hotel offers flexible hourly booking slots which gives easy access for transit passengers seeking a quick power rest. Its offers include a 2-hour day package between 09:00 to 20:00 and a 4-hour night package available from 20:00 to 9:00. Aerotel can also be found in Terminal 1, which presents 38 spacious rooms divided into three categories: solo room, double plus and double squared that is ideal for solo to family travelers respectively. Saoud Al Shamsi, Acting Chief Commercial Officer (ACCO) of Abu Dhabi Airports said, “Abu Dhabi Airports’ utmost priority is to ensure a convenient, seamless journey for passengers travelling through the Abu Dhabi International Airport. With more than 20 million people transiting through the airport, the establishment of Aerotel’s new hotel facility cements Abu Dhabi Airports’ position in providing world-class solutions to best accommodate such demand. We look forward to strengthening our efforts with Plaza Premium Group and the rest of our partners to continuously create innovative airport services that redefines travel experiences with Abu Dhabi International Airport.”

Abu Dhabi Airports has started its annual ‘Beat the Heat’ campaign in support of the Abu Dhabi Occupational Safety & Health Centre (OSHAD)’ Code of Practice 11.0. The informative campaign aims to boost awareness among staff and contractors on the effects of heat stress and how to safely cope with the extreme weather conditions expected during Ramadan and the succeeding months. The programme, which takes course until September, features Arabic, English, Urdu and Hindi training sessions across the Abu Dhabi International Airport, Al Ain International Airport and Al Bateen Executive Airport. The sessions detail important methods on controlling heat stress such as taking more breaks in extreme heat, drinking water frequently to avoid dehydration, being mindful of their own physical condition and that of their co-workers, and wearing light-colored, loose-fitting, breathable clothing instead of non-breathing synthetic fabrics. Campaign posters and dehydration awareness charts are displayed in each workplace, providing participants with safety bulletins that outlines mandatory requirements and educational materials needed to recognize and remedy illnesses caused by high temperatures. Heat-relieving gears such as sun hats, water bottles, and hand towels are also distributed throughout the program. Further equipping employees with the necessary knowledge, the Abu Dhabi Airports’ Environment, Health & Safety team in coordination with the Gulf Center for Aviation Studies (GCAS), the company’s training arm, has carried out heat stress train the Trainor lectures to a selected number of staff and contractors as potential health and safety instructors to drive awareness from department to department and to carry out specific practices required by each team.

Abu Dhabi Airports has announced the transformation plans for Al Ghazal Golf Club and Sports resort that will present a revamped new recreational offer to the residents and visitors of Abu Dhabi. The renovation and development plans will turn the emirate’s only sand golf course to a nationwide recreational sporting hub. The transformed golf destination expects to debut its enhanced look towards the mid of 2018. The property is currently undergoing cutting-edge refurbishments on five of its star facilities; 18-Hole golf course and training centre, sports recreational center, administration building, and its Food & Beverage Outlets. The finished facility will boast a prestigious sand golf course, an assortment of recreational activities for adventure seekers, locker room expansions, new gaming facilities, and improved continental dinning venues. Al Ghazal Golf Club and Sports enjoys a strategic location lying in close proximity to the Abu Dhabi International Airport and some of the most sought-after attractions of the Emirate that includes the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Ferrari World, Yas Island. Commenting on this development, Saoud Al Shamsi, Acting Chief Commercial Officer at Abu Dhabi Airports, said, “Al Ghazal Golf Club and Sports will be the most luxurious and exciting resort for sport lovers and families seeking an adventurous escape, or to unwind after a long day of work. This renovation project has been designed to create a wider golf club membership that ultimately establishes a big and prominent Al Ghazal Community. In line with its vision and values, Al Ghazal Golf Club & Sports Resort will be a leader of innovation, hospitality and quality by the end of 2018”.

Abu Dhabi Airports has announced that it will be taking part in the 142nd IATA Slots Conference in Vancouver, Canada to open and enhance links within the aviation industry. The company will be joining Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture & Tourism (DCT) and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). Set to run from the June 19-21 , IATA Slots Conference is a semi-annual forum that attracts over 1,200 delegates across 75 exhibitors and sponsors, representing 230 airlines, and 75 schedules-facilitated and fully-coordinated airports. The conference provides a comprehensive platform for the allocation of slots among IATA and non-IATA airlines worldwide at fully-coordinated airports and to reach a concord on the schedule adjustments based on the airport capacity limitations. Abu Dhabi Airports’ participation comes as part of its initiative to engage with potential airline partners with comprehensive plans to operate from the Abu Dhabi International Airport or the Al Ain International Airport, and to further discuss expansion opportunities among current airline partners operating in the two airports respectively. Commenting on the announcement, Saoud Al Shamsi, the Acting CCO of Abu Dhabi Airports said, “The IATA Slots Conference serves the key purpose of gathering the world’s aviation community to form strategic partnerships and explore new market opportunities which will in turn promote the country’s travel and tourism industry extensively. We are constantly developing experiential and technological advancements for Abu Dhabi International Airport and Al Ain International Airport to reinforce both airports’ position as key aviation and travel hubs in the region”.

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, jointly with Abu Dhabi Airports, Etihad Airways and General Directorate of Residence and Foreigners Affairs – Abu Dhabi, has launched a new visa counter to facilitate the visa application process and grant both transit and arriving passengers visas to Abu Dhabi within 15 to 30 minutes. The new service, located at the Terminal 3 transit area at Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH), includes activation of the new four-day, or 96-hour, transit visa for all nationalities travelling through Abu Dhabi International Airport. The launch of the new visa counter is part of the Life in Abu Dhabi initiative, in support of the Enriching Tourist Experience. Established in May 2017 as part of the Government Services Office at Abu Dhabi Executive Office, Life in Abu Dhabi is an annual gathering aimed at developing a number of public sector services for the government of Abu Dhabi. The new counter will issue several types of mission and tourist visas available to travellers who do not fall under the current visa upon arrival scheme. Passengers can now approach the visa counter in T3 to apply for, and obtain the relevant visa within a maximum 30 minutes. In addition, the visa counter is now issuing the new 96 hour transit visa, which is a key part of Abu Dhabi’s ongoing efforts to attract more visitors to the capital. This project is being jointly implemented by several parties including Abu Dhabi Executive Office, Abu Dhabi Airports, General Directorate of Residence and Foreigners Affairs – Abu Dhabi, Etihad Airways and Department of Transport in Abu Dhabi. The AED 300-visa can be used by passengers with planned trips from AUH, …

Abu Dhabi Airports has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Healthpoint, part of Mubadala’s network of healthcare providers, as its preferred healthcare partner. Healthpoint will provide premium medical services to Abu Dhabi Airports’ staff and their families, and facilitate cooperation between both parties on other areas of potential collaboration. The MOU was signed by Abdul Majeed Al Khoori, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports and Dr Mai Al Jaber, Deputy Medical Director at Healthpoint, at Abu Dhabi Airports’ headquarters. As part of the new MOU, Healthpoint will provide its multi-specialty services to Abu Dhabi Airports’ employees, ensuring staff and their families receive high quality care and service they need in Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi Airports welcomed airBaltic’s first flight arriving from Riga, Latvia on October 30. The maiden flight marks the commencement of a direct service four times a week between Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) and Riga International Airport (RIX) by airBaltic. On board the first flight arrived Hanan Al Aleeli, UAE Ambassador to Latvia accompanied by members of the embassy and representatives of the airline. The guests were hosted at VIP Terminal and greeted by Astra Kurme, Latvia Ambassador to the UAE and members of the embassy in the UAE, in addition to representatives from Abu Dhabi Airports, Etihad Airways and Air Baltic. Flights will arrive from RIX at 7:25am and depart from AUH at 9:45am on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Hanan Al Aleeli, UAE Ambassador to Latvia, commented, “Our two governments witnessed the maturity of our bilateral relations into full capacity this year, with the operation of two fully fledged embassies in both countries, which was translated to many achievements and milestones.”

Abu Dhabi Airports and Al Hilal Bank entered a joint agreement to offer exclusive VIP terminal access to top ranking customers of Al Hilal Bank at the Abu Dhabi International Airport. Abdul Majeed Al Khoori, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Abu Dhabi Airports, commented, “The VIP Terminal has been built and operated with one ambition; to extend a luxury service to all our customers and ensure they receive an exceptional travel experience that mirrors what Abu Dhabi has on offer. Therefore, partnerships like this are instrumental to achieve this ambition, and we look forward to the success it will deliver to Abu Dhabi Airports and all its partners.” Alex Coelho, CEO, Al Hilal Bank, commented, “At Al Hilal Bank, we always strive to go the extra mile when it comes to entering new partnerships. Our partnership with National Aviation Services is our latest client-centric endeavour; focusing on improving the lifestyle of our customers by making the travel experience more rewarding. Through this partnership, Al Hilal Bank customers can now enjoy complimentary access to the VIP Terminal at Abu Dhabi International Airport. We are happy to be part of this fruitful collaboration; offering our customers an easier and better travel experience, and we will continue to provide our customers with similar offerings that improve their quality of life.”