UAE-based Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with South Development Group to develop Romanian airports.
This is ADAC’s first venture outside of UAE as it considers alternative revenue streams.
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The move was announced by ADAC CEO Bryan Thompson during a media briefing.
Thompson was quoted as saying: “We are exploring partnership opportunities for the future management and development of airports in Romania.”
The agreement includes Bucharest Airport and five regional Romanian airports.
Thompson also stated that Abu Dhabi Airports is looking into projects in collaboration with other countries and airports.
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By GlobalDataHe said: “We are predominantly focused on Africa, Eastern Europe and Indonesia. There are many opportunities out there.”
In the briefing, Thompson added that the new AED10.8bn ($2.94bn) Midfield Terminal Building in Abu Dhabi Airport was 97.6% complete. He did not provide a precise timeline on when the terminal would open.
Once completed, the new terminal is expected to boost the capacity of the airport, enabling it to handle more than 45 million passengers annually.
Construction of the 742,000m² terminal begun in 2014. It was 86% complete in 2017 but faced some setbacks that delayed its opening.
The terminal features a baggage handling system capable of processing approximately half a million bags a day.
In July, Abu Dhabi Airports carried out a full-scale operational trial of the Midfield Terminal.
Conducted as part of the continuing development of the Terminal Complex and the ongoing Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) process, the test assessed the new terminal’s capacity and facilities.
