Adac to construct cargo facilities

THE United Arab Emirates government’s development plans have spurred Abu Dhabi Airports Company (Adac) to consider new cargo facilities at the international airport.

“It is very difficult to attract new businesses when the business you are doing today is limited with space [at the cargo centre],” James Bennett, chief executive of Adac, said. “So we are trying to explore options to get a new cargo facility up and running in the most efficient way possible.”

Adac is chewing on its options. It could open up the facilities to the private sector with a multi-year concession, set up an agreement for Etihad to invest in new facilities, or take on the investment through its subsidiary Abu Dhabi Cargo Company.

In 2010 air cargo volumes grew by 16 per cent at the airport, to 438,000 tonnes, thanks in part to several new A330-200 freighter deliveries to Etihad.

In early March Adac invited contractors to bid on its multibillion-dollar midfield terminal building set for a 2016 opening. The terminal will become the future home of Etihad and more than 50 other airlines flying into Abu Dhabi airport.

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