Al Bateen executive airport re-opens after completion of major refurbishment

Al Bateen Executive Airport has reopened on Monday following the successful completion of a major refurbishment project which will allow the airport to cater to increased operational demand while meeting the highest levels of safety, compliance, and accreditation.

Located on Abu Dhabi island, this the only dedicated business jet airport in the region and is located 12 km south east of Abu Dhabi city centre in Abu Dhabi. The other tenants include aviation assets of the UAE government. It opened in 1970 as Abu Dhabi International Airport to replace the city’s previous airport.

This executive airport was established in close cooperation between the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and Abu Dhabi Airports (AD Airports) and followed all necessary regulatory frameworks to ensure the highest level of compliance, and all the necessary approvals were received without delay.

Commenting on the development, Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the GCAA, said: “The refurbishment project at Al Bateen Executive Airport embodies the commitment of our aviation partners in the UAE to invest in the safety, modernisation and sustainability of the region’s only dedicated executive airport. The engagement with Abu Dhabi Airports – from project inception until completion – has ensured the highest level of compliance with the national standards, regulations, guidance material and international best practices outlined by the GCAA.”

“In line with our strategic objectives, Abu Dhabi Airports continues to invest in developing and maintaining our world-class infrastructure. The upgrades to Al Bateen Executive Airport will result in several tangible benefits such as increased airport capacity to accommodate larger aircrafts, extending the lifetime of the runway, and decreasing maintenance time and cost,” said Shareef Hashim Al Hashmi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports.

Project Details

The essential work, completed in under 90 days, involved the resurfacing and widening the existing 3.2-kilometre runway to accommodate wide-body aircrafts and a substantial new boundary wall, upgraded ground lighting, enhanced signage and landscape.

Another major part of the work completed was upgrading and refurbishing the Airfield Ground Lighting (AGL) at Al Bateen Executive Airport, certifying the airport to operate Code 4D Aircrafts.

As part of the refurbishment activities, over 105,000 tons of asphalt was used on varying areas of the runway, shoulder areas of the runway and taxiways, amounting to approximately 240,000 square metres and a combined 23 kilometres of cable were laid down, in addition to 15.5 kilometres of duct and the installation of over 400 new manholes.

“Over 800 dedicated personnel were involved in the successful completion of this project, while ensuring minimal disruption to residents, demonstrating our collaboration and determination to drive development. As the only dedicated executive airport in the Middle East, we are committed to providing our customers with a safe and secure facility that caters to their requirements,” said Frank McCrorie, Chief Operations Officer, Abu Dhabi Airports.